Dozens of flights delayed at Vancouver International Airport, cause ‘resolved’

Dozens of flights have been delayed coming into the Vancouver International Airport (YVR) Saturday due to constraints with NAV Canada navigation systems.

In an email to CityNews, NAV Canada said a “temporary ground delay program was put in place…to address system capacity constraints due to unplanned absences.”

“NAV CANADA takes any staffing-related Ground Delay Programs (GDP) very seriously, and we work actively to mitigate them through forecasting, optimizing scheduling, and bringing in additional resources. Our dedicated air traffic controllers are working to keep aircraft moving safely and efficiently,” the statement reads.

As of just after 4:30 p.m., YVR says the cause of the delays has now been “resolved,” however, some flights may still be delayed as the backlog clears.

The operational issues with NAV Canada’s air navigation system from earlier today has been resolved at YVR. Few arriving flights may still be impacted as the situation clears up. Please check the status of your flight with your airline for latest information.

— YVR (@yvrairport) June 24, 2023

Flights leaving the airport were also impacted, but not to the same extent as arrivals.

“We are currently seeing some delays to flights arriving at YVR as constraints are being experienced in the air navigation system. We are working with our partners at NAV Canada and the airlines to get you on your way as safely and as quickly as possible,” a statement from YVR said earlier Saturday.

“Please check the status of your flight before coming to the airport. Our Guest Experience and Green Coat volunteers are on-site to assist.”

We are currently seeing some delays to flights arriving at YVR as constraints are being experienced in the air navigation system. We are working with our partners at NAV Canada and the airlines to get you on your way as safely and as quickly as possible.

— YVR (@yvrairport) June 24, 2023

More than 60 flights were set to arrive late at the airport as of Saturday afternoon, with about half that amount scheduled to leave later than planned.

A portion of flights scheduled to arrive at the Vancouver International Airport were delayed Saturday. (Source: YVR online flight board)

We are still experiencing some delays to aircraft arriving at YVR due to constraints within the NAV Canada air navigation system. We encourage travellers to check their flight status at https://t.co/1FdVwVJYyO or with their airline.

— YVR (@yvrairport) June 24, 2023

Ground Delay Program implemented due to ‘unplanned absences’: NAV Canada

In its email to CityNews, NAV Canada adds that it is working to minimize the delays.

It says the program is in place to help regulate air traffic flow when flight demand “exceeds capacity.”

But this isn’t the first time travellers flying to and from the airport have been held up, as earlier this month NAV Canada also implemented a GDP citing similar reasons.

In that case, the problem with air traffic flow was cleared that evening.

With files from Cole Schisler, Hana Mae Nassar, and Charlie Carey