As delays pile up at Toronto’s Pearson Airport, do Edmontonians need to be concerned?

“I am so shocked of this place, it is the biggest disgrace known to man.” That’s former NHL player Ryan Whitney ranting about the wait times at Toronto’s Pearson International Airport. “There is a 400 person line, with two Air Canada workers.”

While the problems are mostly at Canada’s largest airport, travellers in Edmonton won’t see the same issues or wait times at Edmonton International Airport – unless they are flying intro or through Toronto.

I live at Toronto Pearson International airport. The worst place on earth. I smell so bad. pic.twitter.com/PfdnHcO7Ad

— Ryan Whitney (@ryanwhitney6) June 6, 2022

“With Toronto being the largest airport in Canada, most of our flights are connecting through Toronto, especially for international flights,” says travel agent Hidar Elmais with Travel Gurus.

“Even trans-border flights into the US or sunny destinations, they are still connecting through Toronto as it’s off-season. So Toronto airport delays make a huge impact all the way through Canada.”

While things seem to be running smoothly in Edmonton, the Vice President of Operations and Infrastructure at the Edmonton International Airport, Steve Maybee, says, “We’re monitoring the issue of delays daily and working closely with CATSA and other partners to ensure passengers face minimal delays.”

Elmais adds the Edmonton airport has done a better job throughout the pandemic to be ready for the traffic. “As you can see at the Edmonton International Airport, they are ready for the traffic, and I wish I could say the same thing about other airports, especially Toronto Pearson.”

RELATED:

• Pearson travellers waiting hours to deboard plane, greeted with long lines at customs
• International flight delays at Pearson airport jump by factor of almost 300

As wait times at Toronto Pearson International Airport get longer, the Government of Canada says its working with airports and airlines to fix the problem.

“The Government of Canada recognizes the impact that significant wait times at some Canadian airports are having on travelers,” The goal is to streamline services for inbound and outbound passengers, so Canadians can travel smoothly and safely as the sector recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic,” said the federal government in a statement.

And Wednesday more help for airlines was made available as CATSA hired over 850 new agents across the country to help travellers get through security faster.

Some airlines and travel agents are calling on the Canadian government to lift the COVID vaccine requirements for air passengers and employees, however the government extended its COVID-19 restrictions until at least the end of June.