St. John’s International Airport resumed normal operations Wednesday morning after staffing issues at its fire hall prevented many passenger flights from landing or taking off.
But the solution is temporary.
In a statement to CBC News, the St. John’s International Airport Authority said that as of 8 a.m. Wednesday commercial operations have resumed, though the “solution is not permanent.”
“We encourage passengers to confirm upcoming travel plans with their airline as we continue to work through this issue as a matter of priority,” the statement reads.
Six of the nine firefighters employed at the airport have gone on leave due to concerns over what they call a toxic workplace. The union representing the firefighters blames airport management.
With staffing levels so low, most commercial passenger service at the airport was suspended Tuesday evening, leading to eight flight cancellations.
Lisa Bragg, the airport authority’s director of business development and marketing, told CBC News on Monday that flights were being affected but didn’t address claims made by the union. The airport authority declined to do an interview with CBC News.
Mediator called in
In a tweet early Wednesday morning, federal Labour Minister Seamus O’Regan said a mediator has been brought in to help resolve the dispute between the airport authority and the firefighters.
Chris Bussey, Atlantic vice-president for the Union of Canadian Transportation Employees, said Wednesday morning two of his union’s firefighters will staff the fire hall for the next 24 hours while discussions between the union, the airport and the mediator continue through the day.
Bussey said neither firefighter is among those who have taken leave, and they’re only covering off Wednesday’s schedule.
“I’m not sure what that’s going to bring today, but I’m hopeful that that office is able to help us resolve concerns that we haven’t been able to resolve for a long time,” Bussey told CBC Radio’s St. John’s Morning Show on Wednesday.
Bussey said two firefighters on shift is the minimum number needed for staffing the airport, but his union argues that number is actually low for an airport the size of St. John’s International.
Transport minister monitoring situation
Shortly before the news broke of the airport’s operations temporarily resuming on Wednesday, Premier Andrew Furey told CBC News there were plans to divert some flights to Gander.
Reg Wright, CEO of the Gander International Airport Authority, said his airport was asked to accommodate five flights on Wednesday — three from Air Canada and two from PAL Airlines. He said there has been no further discussion on what the rest of the week could look like.
“None are on the ground yet, but this is certainly the plan that has been conveyed to their customers,” Wright said.
“If it does extend, we’re fully prepared to play a role in getting people home. But I don’t imagine it will be long.”
As for getting those passengers to St. John’s from Gander, Wright said the airlines will have those details, but added there will likely be a bus.
Airport under federal jurisdiction
Furey said the provincial government became aware of the deteriorating staffing situation late Saturday night, and he called federal Transport Minister Omar Alghabra on Sunday, since the airport is under federal jurisdiction.
Furey said the provincial Department of Tourism has been in contact with airlines.
Meanwhile, in a statement released late Tuesday night, Alghabra called the consequences of the staffing issues “completely unacceptable.”
He said the union and the airport “must take any necessary steps to find a solution that will keep operations ongoing and safe.”
Alghabra said the department will continue to monitor the situation.
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