Air Canada resumes operations after ‘IT issues’

Air Canada says flights have resumed after “IT issues” led to some delays Thursday, but you’re still being urged to check the status of your flight ahead of time.

The airline has tweeted, “operations are stabilizing and flights departing. Please check the status of your flight before going to the airport.”

Air Canada’s operations are stabilizing and flights departing. Please check the status of your flight before going to the airport. 1/2

— Air Canada (@AirCanada) June 1, 2023

It continues, “We sincerely apologize for the impact this may have on you, and a flexible policy is in place to change travel plans if you want to do so.”

Air Canada’s operations are stabilizing and flights departing. Please check the status of your flight before going to the airport. 1/2

— Air Canada (@AirCanada) June 1, 2023

Around three hours prior, Air Canada said it was dealing with “IT issues” and some flights were subsequently delayed.

Air Canada is experiencing an IT issue causing flight delays. Customers are advised to check the status of their flight at https://t.co/9y0kvWGAEn before going to the airport. We thank you for your understanding.

— Air Canada (@AirCanada) June 1, 2023

“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.

@AirCanada #aircanada Another ‘system wide outage’ just announced currently on tarmac in Ott-TO AC445. Happened last week, disrupting all AC travel. How can this happen again AC?!? Fix the problem

— Mike Harrison (@MikeHarrison13) June 1, 2023

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 was 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.”

Great start to my very much needed vacation. What’s up @AirCanada? pic.twitter.com/32tQJfokpr

— Christine Van Geyn (@cvangeyn) June 1, 2023

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, passengers took 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.”

@AirCanada you really need to do better systems down again!?? Been sitting
On this plane since 8:25AM… pic.twitter.com/YaQI3jdPXD

— Jully Black (@JullyBlack) June 1, 2023