Air Canada flight suspensions and potential strike

Air Canada begins phased flight cancellations as talks with flight attendants stall, signaling a possible shutdown.

Air Canada suspends flights amid potential work stoppage

Air Canada says it will gradually cancel flights starting Thursday to allow an orderly shutdown of the country’s largest airline as it faces a potential strike by its flight attendants on Saturday. The company announced a 72-hour strike notice from the union and said a lockout is in place in response. Passengers with canceled flights will be notified and eligible for a full refund, and the airline has arranged options with other carriers where possible.

CEO Michael Rousseau expressed regret for the disruption and the impact on customers, stakeholders and communities. The union cites wage concerns, calling attention to what it calls poverty wages and unpaid labor when planes are not in the air. The two sides have remained far apart in talks, and the union rejected a proposal to enter binding arbitration, saying it prefers negotiations that members can vote on.

The stalemate lays bare the tension between keeping a large national carrier running and ensuring fair pay for workers. A shutdown would ripple through travelers, airports and tourism, testing the resilience of Canada’s air travel network. It also raises questions about how government and industry balance service reliability with labor rights in a sector known for tight margins and high fixed costs. As the dispute drags on, observers will watch whether pressure from customers, regulators or international competitors nudges both sides toward a longer-term deal.

Highlights

The next steps will show if a crisis can yield a fair deal for workers and stable service for travelers.