Ottawa: Air Canada will start suspending flights after the union representing its flight attendants issued a 72-hour strike notice, raising the prospect of major travel disruptions during the peak summer season.
The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), which represents 10,000 flight attendants, delivered the notice after months of stalled contract negotiations. The union says the airline has failed to address core issues, including fair wages and unpaid work for hours spent boarding and waiting at airports.
In response, Air Canada issued its 72-hour lockout notice and rejected a union counterproposal it described as seeking ‘exorbitant increases.’ The airline says it offered a 38 percent increase in total compensation over four years, including a 25 percent raise in the first year, but CUPE argues the offer remains below inflation, below market value, and below minimum wage for some work hours.
Ahead of the stoppage, the carrier will cancel its first Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge flights, with more cancellations ahead. A full halt of operations will follow, though Air Canada Express flights, carrying about 20 percent of daily passengers will continue.
The airline, which operates in 64 countries with a fleet of 259 aircraft, warns the shutdown could impact 130,000 daily customers, including 25,000 Canadians. It is repositioning planes and crews to allow for faster recovery once the strike ends.
Affected passengers will be notified, offered full refunds, or provided alternate travel options via other Canadian and foreign carriers, though Air Canada cautions these may be delayed or limited. Major airports, including Toronto Pearson and Vancouver International, say they are monitoring the situation and urge travellers to confirm flight details directly with the airline.
Earlier this month, 99.7 percent of CUPE-represented staff voted in favour of strike action, signalling near-unanimous support for the walkout.
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