An Air Canada plane moves toward the runway while a WestJet plane takes off at Vancouver International Airport in Richmond, B.C., on March 20, 2020. The Canadian Press
Vancouver International Airport faced problems on Friday after crews could not finish paving the north runway on time. An unexpected problem with the asphalt supplier caused delays. Because of this, the airport had to close the north runway for the whole day.
Flights Cancelled and Delayed
Due to the runway closure, more than 20 flights were cancelled, and many others were delayed. By 2 p.m., the airport reported 23 flight cancellations. All planes had to use the south runway only, which slowed down the airport’s operations.
Help for Travelers
Airport staff stayed in the terminal to help passengers during the disruption. Travelers flying in or out of Vancouver on Friday were advised to check their flight status with their airline or on the airport’s website before arriving. This helped passengers avoid long waits or confusion.
Air Traffic Control Steps In
Nav Canada, the agency that manages air traffic across Canada, said it set up a temporary Traffic Management Initiative (TMI). TMIs control how many planes can use the airspace or airport at once. This helps keep flights safe and orderly during busy or unusual times.
A spokesperson said, “While we strive to minimize their use, TMIs help maintain a safe flow of traffic and ensure the quantity of aircraft in a given airspace or airport remains manageable.” They added that the team is working hard to keep air traffic moving as smoothly as possible despite the runway problem.
What This Means for Travelers
This runway issue made it hard for the airport to keep flights on schedule. Using only one runway limited the number of planes that could take off or land. Passengers experienced delays and cancellations, which caused frustration for many.
The airport is working to fix the issue quickly. Officials said they are trying to solve the problem so both runways can open again soon. Meanwhile, travelers are urged to stay updated on their flights and arrive early if they need to fly.
