Air Canada Flight Delays Due To ‘IT Issues’

If you’re flying on an Air Canada flight Thursday, you’re being urged to check the status of your flight ahead of time.

Air Canada says it is dealing with “IT issues” and some flights are subsequently delayed.

“Customers are advised to check the status of their flight at http://aircanada.com before going to the airport,” the major airline said on social media.

“We thank you for your understanding.”

In a statement to CityNews, Air Canada says the technical issue Thursday is the same one that grounded flights last week but is “unrelated.” Nearly half of its flights were delayed on May 25.

“The communicator system has begun to stabilize, and aircraft continue to move although still at a lower-than-normal rate. As a result, customers may experience delays and in some instances cancellations as we move through recovery. Customers are advised to check the status of their flight before going to the airport as we anticipate the impact will persist through the balance of the day,” it said.

The airline says it has been in the process of upgrading the communicator system using a third-party’s technology and is working with the manufacturers to “ensure stability in the system in the future.”

“We have also put in place a flexible policy for those who wish to change their travel plans at no cost.”

Georgia Landgraf was supposed to take off from Calgary to head to Toronto at 7 a.m. Thursday but is still left sitting on the tarmac more than two hours later.

She says getting on the plane was pretty normal, but she was told there might be a five-minute delay because a computer system was down.

“And now it’s been two and a half hours,” Landgraf said. “I have a train to catch in Toronto and I’m not too sure I’m going to make it.”

She added that the airline offered passengers an opportunity to get off the plane and try another, which some people did.

“I know a few people have connecting flights and plans in the evening tonight and they’re pretty worried about their connections,” Landgraf said.

“I think a lot of people are a little bit frustrated.”

Meanwhile, would-be passengers have taken to social media to air their frustrations with the airline service.

Canadian singer Jully Black is one of them, telling Air Canada to “do better.”

“We apologize for the impact on our customers and appreciate their patience. We are working hard to get people on their way as soon as possible,” Air Canada said.