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Minnesotans stuck in Canada as airlines cancel thousands of flights, again

Sun Country's inaugural flight to Vancouver, BC last Wednesday was supposed to return Sunday.

VANCOUVER, BC — Over the weekend, airlines canceled thousands of flights again — including Minnesota's Sun Country.

Last week, it flew nonstop to Vancouver, British Columbia for the first time and on Monday, some Minnesotans are still stuck there.

Scott McLachlan and his daughter were supposed to fly out on Sunday, but the airline canceled it citing crew availability and maintenance that required a specific part.  

"There should be a plan in place to get people off quickly and get them food," said McLachlan. "You just keep trying to find some answers, but that's the hard part."

A Sun Country spokeswoman says passengers have information about how to be reimbursed:

"We are sorry for the disruption to the travel plans for the Vancouver flight. Like other airlines, we have been working hard – including our crews – to meet the unprecedented demand for travel from the public. Those passengers affected were given information about how to be reimbursed for hotel, food and ground transportation to the airport. We realize travelers and our customers are frustrated and we sincerely apologize," wrote Senior Director of Communications and Marketing Wendy Burt.

McLachlan guesses he spent another $400 on food, a hotel and cab ride. 

"The biggest thing is the lack of communication and how the same group of people can be told different things," said McLachlan.

Brynn Rhodes' flight to Seattle was also canceled and she says she wasn't given an explanation. Her family is headed there to catch a cruise and that forced her to buy another round of tickets on another airline, hoping her travel insurance comes in handy.

"I feel like we did everything we could to be prepared and be ready for it, while still not hoping that's the way it goes, but that's the way it went," said Rhodes.

The worsening travel season has some airlines saying the government now needs to help. The United Airlines CEO wants it to limit the number of flights to busier airports and get air traffic control towers to full staff. 

But for McLachlan, this isn't their first cancelation and it's putting any future flights with this airline up in the air.

"Between Christmas and this one, it's been a pretty rough go on Sun Country," said McLachlan. 

The passengers on the inaugural flight to Vancouver were expected to catch a 4:30 p.m. flight back to Minneapolis on Monday.

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