Smaller airlines ask Transport Canada for pilots' shifts to last up to 14 hours

Source: CBC Politics
Date: 2026-10-28 08:00:00.0
Tags: [National, Transportation, Labour, Industry]

At least 18 northern and regional air carriers, including Air Inuit, Air North, and Nolinor Aviation, have petitioned Transport Canada for regulatory exemptions to extend pilots' maximum daily flight duty period from 13 to 14 hours and weekly limits from 60 to 70 hours, while allowing up to 210 hours over a 28-day period. The carriers, represented by the Northern Air Transportation Association, argue that the stricter 2020 federal flight rules fail to accommodate northern weather unpredictability and infrastructure limitations, which lead to severe travel disruptions. The Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA Canada) strongly opposes the changes, warning that increased shift lengths will elevate pilot fatigue to dangerous levels and jeopardize flight safety. Federal Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon's office stated that Transport Canada officials are currently reviewing the draft regulatory files.