Passenger volume contributes to delays at Pearson Airport in Mississauga: Transport Minister
Published June 2, 2022 at 6:05 pm
Increase travel demands are contributing to delays at Pearson Airport in Mississauga and other global destinations, says Canada’s Transport Minister.
Speaking to insauga.com, Omar Alghabra (Mississauga Centre) said although health checks are targeted for blame as travelers pass through Pearson; other factors such as passenger volume contribute to the delays.
“We’re witnessing a surge in travel demand, not only in Canada, but around the world,” said Alghabra. “I think it’s really important because if we want to address this situation, we need to diagnose it properly, and not be misguided by a short-term reactionary response without fully understanding what’s happening.”
He said delays are being experienced around the globe as people return to travel in a world that appears less threatened by COVID-19. Alghabra said U.S. and European airports in particular face delays that are similar, if not worse, then what people are experiencing at Pearson.
“There’s a sharp surge in demand for travel that is growing faster than the supply is able to keep up with,” he said. “That’s my assessment and our government’s assessment for what’s happening.”
The Transport Minister’s response comes in the wake of passenger complaints that health protocols and duplication of services have led to delays of often several hours at Pearson. Travelers have complained of being left on the tarmac for hours and are backed up going through customs and again when picking up their luggage.
Videos
Earlier this week Mississauga Mayor Bonnie Crombie called for the federal government to stop mandatory random testing for COVID-19 and remove duplicate health checks and prolonged questioning that are conducted a various points at the airport.
“Our business sector is dependent on Pearson operating efficiently,” said Crombie. “That means giving passengers that best experience possible from the second they walk through those doors.”
However, Alghabra defended the health protocols saying they were imposed to keep Canadians safe during the pandemic, which is not over. And, on Tuesday, the Public Health Agency of Canada announced health protocols at Pearson and other border crossings will remain in place for at least another month.
In the meantime, Alghabra said some of the restrictions have been lifted and that all agencies involved at the airport are working to increase efficiency by adding staff. He said the situation at the airport is reviewed regularly and that the health checks can be removed quickly when it is safe to do so.
In the days ahead Alghabra urged people to “understand the current dynamic” and to be aware of not only what is happening in Canada but around the world when it comes to health measures and traveling.
insauga's Editorial Standards and Policies advertising