An unexpected equipment issue caused the delays during overnight paving work on the airport’s north runway. This prevented the runway from reopening in the morning, resulting in significant flight delays and cancellations.
To manage the situation, Nav Canada implemented a temporary Traffic Management Initiative (TMI) to maintain safe and efficient air traffic flow.
According to FlightAware, inbound flights to YVR flight delays averaged about 1 hour and 23 minutes. YVR’s arrivals page reported 67 delays and 10 cancellations, while the departures page listed 24 delays and nine cancellations.
In response, Air Canada allowed passengers traveling to or from YVR on May 30 to change their bookings without penalty, subject to availability. The airline advised customers to check their flight status online or call 1-888-422-7533 before heading to the airport. This waiver applied only to Friday’s travel, but Air Canada indicated it might update its policy if disruptions continued.
WestJet also offered free flight changes for travelers affected by YVR flight delays or cancellations at YVR on May 30-31. The airline apologized for the inconvenience and emphasized the need for shared accountability among Canada’s air travel partners. Other Canadian carriers, such as Porter and Flair Airlines, did not provide similar waivers. Flair Airlines acknowledged the delays and advised passengers to check their flight status regularly and adjust their airport arrival times accordingly.Travelers are encouraged to monitor their flight information and contact their airlines for the latest updates.