Air Canada strike threatens peak travel disruptions

CUPE has issued a 72‑hour strike notice that could force cancellations during the summer travel peak.

Air Canada strike tests peak travel resilience

Air Canada said on Tuesday night that it received a union counteroffer it termed an exorbitant wage request, and that CUPE rejected binding third‑party arbitration. A 72‑hour strike notice was issued, with stoppage expected to start around 01:00 EST on Saturday. Air Canada, which operates in 64 countries with a fleet of 259 aircraft, warned that an unplanned shutdown would be a major risk to the company and could disrupt up to 130,000 daily customers, including 25,000 Canadians, during the peak summer period. The airline announced that the first Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge flights would be cancelled on Thursday, with more grounding on Friday and a complete cessation on Saturday. Air Canada Express flights, which carry about 20% of daily customers, will not be affected. Customers with cancelled flights will receive refunds, and the airline said it has arrangements with other Canadian and foreign carriers to offer alternative options, though availability may be limited and timing uncertain.

The dispute highlights how airlines guard operations against labor interruptions, especially at the height of the travel season. Pre‑positioning aircraft and crews is a common tactic to maintain safety and speed up service restoration, even as it signals a hard line from management. The outcome will test Air Canada’s ability to maintain reliability while navigating wage demands and arbitration disputes. If a deal emerges, it could restore traveler confidence but raise questions about long‑term costs and fare levels. The case also underscores how passenger networks depend on timely negotiations between unions and carriers, and how regulators may be drawn into sensitive labor dynamics when schedules collapse.

Highlights

The week ahead will reveal how airlines balance rescue plans with worker demands and what this means for travelers.