Airports in Winnipeg and Kelowna, B.C., have faced temporary control tower closures in recent months due to shortages of air traffic controllers, prompting concern across Canada’s aviation sector and a cautionary notice from Air Canada to its pilots.

The airline recently advised flight crews “not to operate into these airports during short-term ATC staffing shortage closures.” The internal memo, dated Oct. 14 and obtained by National Post, noted that the affected airports have control towers “established due to high traffic volume and airport operation complexity.” Pilots were instructed to hold or divert if arriving during a closure.

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NAV Canada, the not-for-profit corporation that manages the country’s civil air navigation services, confirmed the closures but said th

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