(Toronto) Canadian airlines say their schedules will not be affected by next Monday’s total solar eclipse, but they warn that passengers should protect their eyes during the astronomical event.
Air Canada says there will be no operational impact when the Moon casts a shadow on sunlight in parts of eastern Canada on Monday afternoon, although it has reminded its staff not to look directly at the eclipse as it occurs.
For its part, WestJet claims to have taken safety precautions in anticipation of the eclipse, but has not specified which ones. Its passengers who hope to see the shadow through the window should bring their own protective equipment to avoid eye damage, the company stressed.
Air Transat, for its part, will ask passengers to keep the blinds closed.
Transport Canada issued a notice Tuesday reminding industry stakeholders that there will be “a rapid onset of darkness and twilight conditions” that could affect pilots.
In an email, a spokesperson for the government agency added that pilots who are not allowed to fly when conditions affect visibility could face restrictions during the eclipse – but Transport Canada says it This is a minority.
“Commercial pilots and above are trained to fly at night, and even if it was dark enough, it could be similar to a night takeoff or landing,” said Mason Fraser, who teaches at the School of Aviation from Seneca Polytechnic.
“But private pilots are not always trained for night operations. »
He said pilots flying in the direction of the sun during the eclipse will just need to take normal precautions to ensure they don’t inadvertently damage their eyes, such as lowering the sun visor.