Air Canada scrambles to match baggage with passengers amid flight cuts
"We sincerely apologize": Air Canada CEO
Article content
Air Canada is apologizing after announcing it is slashing domestic flights – just as the resurgence of a more normal summer travel season kicks into high-gear.
The change – a 15% cut of mostly domestic flights – comes as the airline and airports across the country struggle with a travel surge that has led to abandoned baggage piling up due to flight cancellations, delays and disruptions.
tap here to see other videos from our team.
Air Canada scrambles to match baggage with passengers amid flight cuts Back to video
tap here to see other videos from our team.
“The result has been flight cancellations and customer service shortfalls on our part that we would never have intended for our customers or for our employees, and for which we sincerely apologize,” Air Canada President and Chief Executive Officer Michael Rousseau said Thursday.
“This surge in travel has created unprecedented and unforeseen strains.”
Problems have been piling up at Pearson Airport where lineups and unclaimed baggage have become the norm.
The airline said about 154 flights a day will be cancelled in July and August.
Three routes will be temporarily suspended between Montreal and Pittsburgh, Baltimore and Kelowna, as well as one from Toronto to Fort McMurray.
Air Canada says customers will be notified automatically when flights are cancelled.
tap here to see other videos from our team.
“We will search for alternatives if they wish, or customers can request a refund,” Rousseau said, acknowledging the suspension of flights “will result in additional flight cancellations that will have a negative impact on some customers.”
Separately, the airline said it is working to reunite the mounting piles of baggage with passengers.
“The airline has redeployed aircraft from its Jetz charter fleet to move delayed baggage, which has increased in large part due to air transport processing and infrastructure issues outside its control,” an airline statement said.
But those are not the only challenges hobbling the flow at airports.
A growing backlog remains of about 333,500 applicants awaiting interviews for Nexus memberships.
tap here to see other videos from our team.
Those memberships allows pre-screened passengers to be fast-tracked through customs between Canada and the U.S.
The Canada Border Services Agency said it is working with U.S. Customs and Border Protection to determine when Canadian NEXUS Enrolment Centres will reopen.
So far, no date has been set to reopen those Canadian offices.
In the meantime, people seeking memberships or renewals are being told by CBSA to apply online.
“If the application is accepted by both CBSA and US CBP, applicants will be invited to schedule an interview at their earliest convenience at the nearest available U.S. Enrolment Centre.”
On Twitter: @_ScottLaurie
Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion. Please keep comments relevant and respectful. Comments may take up to an hour to appear on the site. You will receive an email if there is a reply to your comment, an update to a thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information.