Air Canada Offers Passengers Free Flight Changes Amid Vancouver Delays

VANCOUVER- Air Canada (AC) is offering free flight changes for passengers scheduled to travel through Vancouver International Airport (YVR) on Friday, May 30, 2025, due to operational disruptions.

The move follows unexpected delays after YVR crews failed to complete overnight runway maintenance. The airport cited an asphalt supplier issue that caused flight delays and cancellations, triggering a wider air traffic response.

Photo: Clément Alloing

Air Canada Vancouver Delays

Vancouver International Airport (YVR) faced substantial disruptions on May 30 after an equipment failure prevented completion of overnight paving on the north runway.

According to YVR officials, the delay resulted from an “unforeseen equipment issue” with the asphalt supplier, forcing the airport to keep the runway closed into the morning.

To maintain safe and controlled airspace operations, Nav Canada implemented a temporary Traffic Management Initiative (TMI).

Nav Canada spokesperson Maryam Amini confirmed the TMI is intended to manage traffic flow safely and “as efficiently as possible” under the circumstances, flagged Vancouver is Awesome.

As of Friday, FlightAware data showed inbound flights to YVR were delayed at their origin by an average of 1 hour and 23 minutes.

The airport’s arrivals page reported 67 delays and 10 cancellations, while the departures page listed 24 delays and nine cancellations. The airport has not officially attributed all disruptions to the runway issue.

Vancouver International Airport | Image credit to Wikicommons |

Free Flight Changes for YVR Travelers

Air Canada is permitting travelers flying to or from Vancouver on May 30 to change their bookings without penalty, subject to availability.

The airline advises customers to verify their flight status online or contact its automated flight information system at 1-888-422-7533 before traveling.

The carrier clarified that air traffic control restrictions could continue to affect flights and stated it is closely monitoring the evolving situation. Currently, the no-fee flight change option only applies to Friday travel. Air Canada has not extended the waiver through the weekend but may reassess depending on developments.

Other Canadian carriers — including WestJet (WS), Porter Airlines (PD), and Flair Airlines (F8) — are not offering similar waivers for Friday’s YVR flights.

Photo: Flair Airlines

Flair Highlights Systemic Issues

Flair Airlines (F8) acknowledged the delays at Vancouver International Airport and attributed them in part to limited air traffic control staffing.

The airline issued a notice advising passengers to check their updated departure times and adjust arrival plans accordingly — two hours early for domestic flights and three hours for international departures.

Eric Tanner, Flair Airlines’ vice-president of commercial operations, expressed concern over ongoing inefficiencies, stating: “YVR’s air traffic control remains understaffed. While operations continue to be safe, we again call on public and private organizations to work together to ensure flights in and out of Vancouver run on time.”

Flair reminded passengers that its On-Time Guarantee applies to delays exceeding 60 minutes — a policy that goes beyond Canada’s Air Passenger Protection Regulations.

While Air Canada’s free change offer provides immediate relief, many travelers remain affected by delays and cancellations beyond their control.

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