Page 13 - STAT August 2022 for Magzter

North America & Canada in collaboration with various surrounding
Compared to Europe, the chaos in North municipalities, chambers of commerce, etc.
America was slightly contained. Even then, The employee experience is elevated given
US airlines have reportedly cancelled more the many off-terminal services available on-
than 21,000 flights or about 2.7 percent of site at Edmonton’s Airport City Sustainability
the scheduled total flights. This may be Campus, including a shopping mall, several
chalked up to many US airlines like Ameri- entertainment options, restaurants, fast
can, Delta, United, and SouthWest having food services, and much more. The positive
begun their recruitment process back in the living environment in the Edmonton region
middle of 2021. also contributes to a pool of available and
However, airlines in America cancelled Candidate retention willing talent with relatively high wages,
nearly 700 flights in a single day in the US in low-income taxes, no provincial sales tax,
late June after they were unable to handle has now become and affordable house prices.”
the surge in travel demand, and lack of even more important According to a report by analytics firm
staff, pilots, and crew. The public holidays Data Wazo, some 54 percent of flights to
of Memorial Day (May 29) and July 4, both than it ever was the four largest Canadian airports were
of which are federal holidays for Americans, bumped off schedule, in the seven days
saw a scarcity of pilots and added more before for logistics between June 22 and 28. More than 44 per-
chaos to the current situation. and supply chain cent of the 4,815 flights were delayed while
American aviation is also faced with a 8.5 percent were scrapped altogether.
pilot shortage, even as layoffs coupled with today and for aviation Despite e-commerce volumes surging
a slower rate of training and licensing have across the US and Canadian airports, the
made many major airlines trim capacity and in particular. shortage of ground handling staff held back
rethink growth. While things in the US are Kim Winter their growth potential.
expected to improve post the Labour Day, Logistics Executive Group “The pandemic has accelerated e-
chaos may soon ensue come Thanksgiving commerce growth by 5-10 years, but the
and Christmas time, say experts. Covid protocols, and stressful work environ- pandemic also exposed a lot of deficiencies
Canadian carrier Air Canada in June said ments are also forcing aviation employees in cargo handling. Many believe that cargo
that it will be forced to make meaningful to quit and turn their backs on the sector. handling, a key area in the life of airport op-
cancellations of flights in July and August However many airports have also managed erations, is not merely a Covid problem but
and that it would slash 15% of its flight to buck the trend, like Edmonton Interna- rather one that has been there from before,”
schedule in this time period. tional Airport (YEG) in regards to overall Milton de la Paz, VP of airline relations and
Meanwhile, Canadian carrier WestJet cargo operations. cargo service development at Dallas/Fort
Airlines also said it will operate 25 percent ‘Preparedness’ for peak season worked Worth International Airport (DFW), report-
fewer flights than in 2019 levels. Toronto wonders for YEG, shares Mammen edly told a publication.
Pearson International, Canada’s busiest air- Tharakan, Director, E-Commerce, Cargo &
port experienced delays and flight cancel- Aviation Real Estate at YEG. He said, “Our Australia
lations owing to staff shortages. Montreal’s partners have been in a continuous state Weather conditions, school holidays, and
airport was also reportedly contemplat- of hiring, onboarding, training, but I would staff shortages also kept Australian airports
ing reductions to both “frequencies and say, well over a 100 staff were hired in the under duress. Incidentally, the ground crew
destinations”. last year alone. Further, the airport author- from Emirates-owned dnata, which pro-
Apart from pilot shortage, strikes over ity supported the hiring efforts of our vides handling for 20 odd airlines, also took
exhausting work schedules and pay and partners by hosting job fairs in advance of the first step to industrial action recently
benefits by pilots, stringent anticipated peaks and promoted open roles and announced that they will apply with

www.stattimes.com | AUGUST 2022 11