Increased wait times at Grande Prairie Airport

Nov 8, 2017 | 3:56 PM

For the next few days, the Grande Prairie Airport CEO is recommending you show up at least 30 minutes earlier than usual for your flights.

Brian Grant says this is due to increased wait times to get through security.

The CEO puts the blame on the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority for not providing enough employees to compensate for additional flights that were added to the schedule at the end of October.

“The first couple of days after the implementation we didn’t see too much of an issue. Although we had discussed with CATSA that there would be an increase, in the last two days with weather effects from other areas, such as Calgary, flights have been a little bit delayed and things get backed up. We have really seen this in the last 48 hours,” explained Grant.

He says people that are flying out of the Swan City will want to show up early for the next three to four days.

“With our new flight schedule, we have three aircraft on the ground at the same time in the morning and evening. CATSA, who is responsible for passenger screening and security, hasn’t responded with appropriate manpower. There are quite long delays is getting your passenger screening completed.”

According to the CEO, the security company aims for a 15-minute time span to get people through screening, but with the heavy traffic, it is taking upwards of an hour-and-a-half.

Our newsroom has contacted CATSA for comment.

by Justine Kelsie