Update as of 2 p.m.: WestJet will now offer free changes to travellers impacted by delays or cancellations at YVR.
Original: 11 a.m.
Canada's flag carrier is offering complimentary ticket changes for travellers flying to and from Vancouver on Friday, May 30, amid significant delays.
A Vancouver International Airport (YVR) spokesperson told V.I.A. that crews couldn't complete overnight paving work on its north runway to allow for re-opening in the morning due to an "unforeseen equipment issue" with its asphalt supplier, resulting in flight delays and cancellations.
Nav Canada has implemented a temporary Traffic Management Initiative (TMI) to keep flights moving safely and "as efficiently as possible," Nav Canada spokesperson Maryam Amini told V.I.A.
FlightAware's online flight tracker indicates YVR is experiencing inbound flights delayed at their origin, an average of an hour and 23 minutes.
According to YVR's departures page, 24 flights are delayed and nine are cancelled. However, the airport doesn't specify the cause of delays or cancellations.
The airport's arrivals page shows a staggering 67 delays and 10 cancellations.
Air Canada allows free changes on Vancouver flights
Air Canada will allow travellers heading to and from YVR on Friday to change their booking without penalty, space permitting. They have a comprehensive overview of what is involved in the process.
The airline notes that "air traffic control restrictions" may impact flights, and it is monitoring the situation.
AC customers should check their flight status or call Air Canada's automated flight information system at 1-888-422-7533 before heading to the airport.
Air Canada isn't offering the same change fee exemption over the weekend. However, customers should check back if the issue isn't resolved; the airline may update its page to allow additional changes.
Other Canadian carriers, such as Porter and Flair Airlines, are not offering free changes for YVR flights on Friday.
WestJet allows free changes on Vancouver flights
A WestJet spokesperson confirmed that some WestJet flights have experienced delays at YVR, and the airline "sincerely apologizes to those guests who have experienced disruption to their travel plans."
"WestJet continues to advocate for shared accountability from partner organizations across Canada’s air travel ecosystem for disruptions to planned operation, especially for challenges like these which affect the travel journeys of many Canadians and remain beyond an airline’s control," they said.
Flexible Change/Cancel guidelines have been announced for May 30-31, including a one-time waiver for changes and cancellations.
All WestJet guests should check the status of their flights before leaving for the airport.
Flair Airlines comments on YVR delays
On its website, Flair Airlines advises travellers to YVR about "significant delays due to air traffic control" issues, adding that they should check their flight status regularly.
"Please be aware that the time you should come to the airport is based on your new departure time," the airline states. "For domestic flights, please arrive two hours early. For international flights, please arrive three hours earlier."
Eric Tanner, vice-president of commercial operations at Flair Airlines, told V.I.A. that "YVR's air traffic control remains understaffed."
"While operations continue to be safe, we again call on public and private organizations to work together to ensure flights in and out of Vancouver run on time," he said.
Flair passengers delayed over 60 minutes are entitled to the airline's On-Time Guarantee, an additional offering outside of Canada's Air Passenger Protection Regulations.
Porter Airlines comments on YVR delays
Porter Airlines told V.I.A. that flights are "currently operating as anticipated and largely on time, so no passenger accommodations are needed."
YVR's arrivals and departures page shows that two Porter flights were delayed Friday, one coming from Toronto and one heading to Toronto. The airline has six arriving flights at YVR on Friday and three departing ones.
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