Two Canadian airports briefly closing towers over lack of controllers

At least two Canadian airports, in Kelowna, B.C., and Winnipeg, are so short of air traffic controllers (ATCs) that they have had to occasionally shut down their towers. Air Canada has gone so far as to tell its pilots “not to operate into these airports during short term ATC staffing shortage closures.”

A spokesperson for NAV Canada, the not-for-profit organization that delivers Canada’s civil air navigation services, told National Post: “The recent temporary closures in Winnipeg and Kelowna were precautionary measures taken under our Fatigue Risk Management System to ensure safe operations and protect the well-being of our employees.”

The spokesperson added that closures are generally brief. “For example, the Winnipeg closure last August was the only occurrence in recent years and last