Flight delays at Canada’s busiest airports dropped sharply by approximately 85% during May to August 2026 compared to the same period in 2025, according to NAV Canada.
Airport Delay Rates and Flight Volume
All four major Canadian airports—Toronto Pearson, Montreal-Trudeau, Calgary, and Vancouver International—recorded reductions in flight delays in summer 2026. Vancouver International achieved the largest improvement, with delays decreasing from 4.42% of scheduled flights in 2025 to 0.64% in 2026. Across these airports, the proportion of scheduled flights impacted by delays shrank from 1.54% in summer 2025 to 0.24% in 2026. Despite the drop in delays, the four airports handled 0.9% more flights during the
summer period compared to the previous year.
NAV Canada’s Staffing and Operational Measures
NAV Canada employed more than 2,800 air traffic service professionals at the height of the summer 2026 season, including rehire contracts for over 50 retired controllers. Management staff were temporarily reassigned to frontline duties to bolster operations. Seasonal staffing shortfalls decreased from around 200 controllers below target in spring 2026 to approximately 170 below target as of August 31, 2026. These staffing initiatives contributed to the reduction in flight delays.
Factors Affecting Performance and Official Commentary
NAV Canada attributed the improved airport performance to investments made prior to the busy summer season and staffing rebuild efforts. The traditionally challenging
month of August, which sees high temperatures and peak travel demand, maintained steady performance through Labour Day. NAV Canada Chief of Operations Marie-Pier Berman said, “NAV CANADA’s air traffic controllers, flight service specialists and support teams across the country stepped up, shift after shift, and the credit is theirs.” She also emphasized that “readiness has never meant promising that no disruption will ever occur.”
