Front Burner

Unpacking Canadian airport chaos

Depending on who you ask, you’ll get a different answer about why Canadian airports are such a mess right now. Today on Front Burner, we try to get to the bottom of it.
People wait at the arrivals section of Terminal 1 of Toronto Pearson International Airport on Thursday, June 9, 2022. (Esteban Cuevas/CBC)

If you've been to an airport in Canada recently, there's a good chance you've dealt with more than your average level of chaos. Some of the issues include hours-long security lineups, delayed or cancelled flights, passengers stuck on the tarmac and major congestion at border security.

Many say most of the blame falls on two short-staffed government security entities, but some have also pointed fingers at COVID-19 testing rules, airlines and even out-of-practice travellers.

Today on Front Burner, we will try to get a better understanding of the mess in Canada's airports right now with the help of two guests.

Rosa Saba is a business reporter with the Toronto Star who has been following this story over the past couple of months, and John Gradek is a faculty lecturer and program coordinator for the aviation management program at McGill University.

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