Passengers face long lines at Vancouver airport amid security screener shortage
Passengers at Vancouver Worldwide Airport confronted lengthy traces at safety checkpoints on Sunday as a result of a scarcity of safety screening officers.
In an announcement, YVR attributed the delays to a “important and sudden staffing scarcity” confronted by the safety screening supplier contracted by the Canadian Air Transport Safety Authority (CATSA), the federal Crown company answerable for all passenger safety screening. CATSA contracts out safety providers at numerous airports to third-party employers, corresponding to Allied Common at YVR.
Passengers proceed to be processed by safety screening, however are experiencing longer than regular wait occasions at pre-board screening factors for home and worldwide departures, the airport authority mentioned.
Video posted to social media confirmed an extended line at a safety checkpoint for U.S. departures.
The airport mentioned further employees have been introduced in to assist travellers and help security-screening employees and thanked passengers for his or her endurance.
It beneficial passengers arrive at YVR three hours earlier than departure till additional discover. It additionally mentioned there have been delayed flights and passengers ought to test the standing of their flight with their airline.
The airport mentioned there was no important enhance in passenger numbers on Sunday. The airport averaged 67,000 passengers a day this week, whereas 69,000 are anticipated on Sunday,
“This isn’t the expertise we would like individuals to have at YVR and we apologize,” the assertion mentioned.
In an announcement, CATSA mentioned its service contractor, Allied Common, is experiencing “excessive absenteeism” amongst screening officers at YVR.
“We’re doing the perfect we will with the sources accessible,” the assertion reads.
Safety screeners held a rally again in Might calling for higher pay and dealing circumstances at Vancouver Worldwide Airport.
A union spokesperson mentioned on the time that many safety screeners who have been laid off throughout the pandemic did not return to the job when journey demand picked up. Those that did come again confronted subpar wages and difficult working circumstances.
