Passengers face long lines at Vancouver airport amid securityscreener shortage

Passengers at Vancouver International Airport faced long lines at security checkpoints on Sunday due to a shortage ofsecurityscreening officers.

In a statement, YVR attributed the delays to a "significant and unexpected staffing shortage" faced by the security screening provider contracted by the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA),the federal Crown corporation responsible for all passenger security screening. CATSAcontracts out security services at various airports to third-party employers, such asAllied Universal at YVR.

Passengers continue to be processed through security screening, but are experiencing longer than normal wait times at pre-board screening points fordomestic and international departures, the airport authority said.

Video posted to social media showed a long line at a security checkpoint for U.S. departures.

WATCH |Passengers wait inlong security lines at Vancouverairport:

Line up and wait: Shortage of screening staff at Vancouver International Airport creates long delays for travellers

2 years ago

Duration 0:31

Vancouver International Airport says passengers encountered longer-than-normal wait times Sunday at pre-board screening points for domestic and international departures due to a 'significant and unexpected staffing shortage' by the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA).

The airport said additional staff have been brought in to help travellers and support security-screeningstaff and thanked passengers for their patience.

It recommended passengers arrive atYVRthree hoursbefore departureuntil further notice. It also said there have been delayed flights and passengers should check the status of their flight with their airline.

The airport said there was nosignificant increase in passenger numbers on Sunday. The airport averaged 67,000 passengers a day this week, while69,000 are expected on Sunday,

"This is not the experience we want people to have at YVR and we apologize," the statement said.

In a statement, CATSA said its service contractor, Allied Universal, is experiencing "high absenteeism" amongscreening officers at YVR.

"We are doing the best we can with the resources available," the statement reads.

Security screeners held a rally back in May calling for better pay and working conditions at Vancouver International Airport.

A union spokesperson said at the time thatmany security screenerswho were laid off during the pandemic didn't return to the job when travel demand picked up. Those who did come back facedsubpar wages andchallenging working conditions.