If you’re heading to an airport anytime soon you’re probably wondering if you’re flight is going to be delayed or cancelled. It’s a trend we are seeing all across North America right now in part due to staffing shortages in the aviation industry as well as an increase in demand to get away.

Air Canada and West Jet along with many American airlines have cut their summer schedules because they just don’t have the staff to handle the increased demand.

Frederic Dimanche, the Director of the Ted Rogers School of Hospitality and Tourism says those who left the industry during the pandemic aren’t willing to come back.

Those who have chosen to stay in the industry say it’s a tough job. On the whole, the aviation industry is understaffed in every department, people are overworked, they are tired and they are underpaid.

Canadian flight attendants only get paid when they are in the air, so if a flight is delayed they’re out of luck. On top of losing money, they also have to deal with passengers who may be disgruntled.

Air Canada told CHCH News today they continue to hire and now have 32,000 employees, that’s close to pre-pandemic staffing levels.

Air Canada has cut more than 9,500 flights through July and August. WestJet Airlines has confirmed it is flying 32 per cent fewer flights in and out of Toronto, compared to 2019.