Canadian Transport Minister spoke about the "unacceptable issues" that still lead to significant delays at Canadian airports after images appeared on social media showing hundreds of luggage piled up at Toronto Pearson International Airport.

The Greater Toronto Airports Authority, which operates Toronto Pearson, told CP24 on Tuesday that a number of issues over the past several days have led to "challenges with baggage," including "flight delays and cancellations, staff shortages, and temporary mechanical disruptions in the baggage system."

"So far, dozens of people have reported losing their luggage at Pearson, including a woman who said her bag was lost once on the way to Phoenix and then again on the way back to Toronto, leading to a 'frustrating bag chase' that ultimately proved futile."

Many photos were also posted on social media showing huge piles of luggage in the baggage claim area at Pearson, where travelers had to search hoping to find their lost bags.

Transport Minister Omar Alghabra told reporters, "I had conversations with the top four airports and the two largest airlines just on Thursday and I will follow up with discussions with them soon.

They know they need to add more resources, and they are working on that, and we are providing support to address these issues. But these are unacceptable issues."

Toronto Pearson has been plagued with delays for months amid increased demand and some staff shortages.

Alghabra said the federal government at this stage has done everything it can to address issues at the airports, including increasing staffing at customs and security checkpoints.

He said his government is also considering "the possibility of extending the suspension" of COVID-19 tests, which were supposed to be lifted on July 1.

He said this is because it takes longer than expected to handle the logistics of moving testing offsite. "What we are witnessing is an increase in demand for air travel beyond what anyone expected, and this is honestly good news.

But the increase in demand exceeds the capacity of airlines and airports to ramp up the resources they need to accommodate this surge."

Alghabra said, "So we are working with airlines and airports to ensure the necessary resources are met, and the required scheduling adjustments.

Because we are also seeing peak periods at certain hours of the day."

In a statement provided to CP24 on Tuesday, Air Canada said "avoiding baggage delays is a top priority as they lead to additional costs that the airline ultimately has to bear.

John Tory, Mayor of Toronto, told reporters at a press conference on Wednesday, "I think the overall record at the airport is better today than it was a few weeks ago, and I believe there is every reason to believe the progress will continue." "I am not personally familiar with the exact way baggage is handled, but certainly from my limited knowledge, it seems to me that most of the responsibility lies with the airlines."