Air passenger Long lines, flight delays and cancellations are being faced across the country as airports try to keep up with demand – and Halifax Stanfield International Airport is no exception.
Tiffany Chase, Director of Public Affairs and Marketing Halifax AirportAttributes the increase to “pent-up demand” for travel while traveling COVID-19Combined with the already busy summer months.
“It’s really just starting, there are many more people traveling now,” she told Global News.
“We are moving into the peak summer months of July and August, and so we expect to continue to see an increasing amount of travelers as people head out on that summer vacation or reconnect with family and friends. Huh.”
According to the Frederickton-based analytics firm wazo dataMore than a third of flights leaving Halifax since June 25 are delayed and five percent have been cancelled.
Chase said Halifax airport is not seeing as much impact as some of the larger Canadian airports, but some passengers and flights are being affected.
“People who may be on connecting flights from Halifax through one of those big hubs in Canada may see a slightly higher impact, or delay,” she said.
Chase also noted that airports are experiencing “growing pains” of recovering from COVID-19, including staff shortages.
Peak hours at the airport vary from day to day, but high amounts are common in the early morning, midday, late afternoon and late evening.
Things are expected to be busiest in August, when students start arriving in Halifax, along with typical summer travelers.
However, with the upcoming Canada Day Over the long weekend, Chase said the airport has been experiencing a large amount of airflow since Wednesday, and he expects it to last through the holiday.
To make sure people make it to their destinations on time, Chase strongly recommends that they arrive early – especially if they are checking baggage.
She said that people should reach the airport at least two hours before the domestic flight and three hours before the international flight.
“If you’re checking a bag, you may encounter a lineup at the check-in counter, a potential lineup at security checks, simply because so many people are traveling for a long weekend, ” He said.
“So just be prepared, give yourself plenty of time, and once you get past security you’ll have time to enjoy the concessions available here at the airport.”
Chase also said that people should check with their airlines to get the latest information about their flights. Flight schedules for departure and arrival are also listed on Halifax Stanfield International Airport website,
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