Travel News Today

Delayed luggage and cancelled flights are plaguing Air Canada's new Jazz service flights into Yellowknife.

RCMP officer Russell Sangster looked a little anxious at the airport when one of his bags went missing after a flight from Montreal via Calgary on Air Canada Jazz.

«It's just that I have my gun that's in a locked gun box,» he says. «Unloaded, of course.»
But that's not all he missed.

«I'm with the RCMP, so I would need to have my uniform,» he says, «and I have other accoutrements that go along with that uniform which I need for my work.»

Air Canada is looking for Sangster's gun and uniform, but he's not the only one missing gear.

Outfitters say the baggage delays for their hunting clients have been so bad, it'll hurt the Territories' reputation.
Boyd Warner, an outfitter with Bathurst Inlet Developments, says: «We've got three clients out in the bush this week, and here's their bags. Two are from Hawaii.»

Warner says delayed baggage is costing his company money.
«We're having to inventory ourselves with more sleeping bags and gear to prepare these guys,» he says.

Jane Weishaupt, an outfitter with Courageous Lake Caribou Camp, says she's spending time at the airport trying to help clients. «So far, we've had five groups arrive: Eleven hunters have lost gear, which is approximately 25-30 bags.»

Air Canada Jazz began daily non-stop service to Yellowknife from Edmonton and Calgary in early July 2006.

The company says it has chartered planes to deliver late luggage to camps, and is working with outfitters to solve problems. Air Canada adds, there are many causes, including new security measures, and more summer's-end travelers.