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Air Canada flight cancellations begin ahead of potential strike
Air Canada will start cancelling flights Thursday to prepare for a possible strike by flight attendants and has warned of a complete shutdown by weekend.
Air Canada plans flight cancellations to prepare for a potential walkout by flight attendants.
Air Canada braces for flight attendants strike
Air Canada said it would begin cancelling flights on Thursday to allow for an orderly shutdown if a strike occurs, with more cancellations anticipated on Friday and a complete halt of Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge by the weekend. About 10,000 flight attendants are covered by a union that gave a 72-hour strike notice, and the two sides are watching for government intervention as talks stall. In response, Air Canada issued a lockout notice and said customers will receive full refunds for cancelled flights and that it has arranged alternatives with other carriers where possible.
Air Canada has framed its position around a 38 percent total pay increase over four years and other benefits, while the union says wage levels and unpaid labor when planes are on the ground are key issues. The union has rejected a proposal for binding arbitration and wants a deal that members can vote on. The disruption comes during a busy travel period and highlights how airlines balance staffing costs with consumer expectations and competitive pressures.
Key Takeaways
"We regret the impact a disruption will have on our customers"
Air Canada CEO Michael Rousseau on the disruption
"Despite our best efforts, Air Canada refused to address our core issues"
Union bargaining update
"We prefer to negotiate a deal that our members can then vote on"
Union stance in talks
"The union rejected a proposal from the airline to enter a binding arbitration process"
Arbitration proposal outcome
Air Canada’s move to preempt a shutdown shows how quickly schedules can unravel when wage talks stall. The timing matters: a peak travel period could magnify frustrations and increase pressure on policymakers to act. The dispute underscores a broader tension in the industry between paying frontline workers fairly and keeping costs predictable for shareholders and customers.
What happens next could shape how labor disputes are resolved in Canada. If the government steps in, it may tilt leverage toward one side or the other and set a precedent for essential services. For travelers, the risk is not just delays but uncertainty about refunds, rebooking and the reliability of airline schedules in the near future.
Highlights
- We regret the impact a disruption will have on our customers
- Despite our best efforts, Air Canada refused to address our core issues
- We prefer to negotiate a deal that our members can then vote on
- The union rejected a proposal from the airline to enter a binding arbitration process
Labor dispute carries budget and public reaction risks
The cancellation plan and looming strike could affect Air Canada’s finances, trigger regulatory scrutiny, and influence public perception and investor confidence. A government intervention could reframe the dispute and set a precedent for essential services in Canada.
Disruption here could reshape how airlines negotiate with workers and handle pressure from passengers.
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