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Air Canada, the nation's largest airline, will begin suspending flights on Thursday after the union representing its 10,000 flight attendants issued a 72-hour strike notice. The disruption, set to culminate in a full shutdown on Saturday, threatens to impact 130,000 passengers daily during the peak summer travel season.
The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) announced the strike on Wednesday after negotiations over wages and unpaid work stalled. The airline responded with its own lockout notice, claiming the union's latest counteroffer demanded "exorbitant increases." CUPE rejected an offer for binding third-party arbitration, saying the airline had refused to address core concerns.
Air Canada said the gradual suspension of flights would help reposition aircraft and crews for a faster recovery once operations resume. The first cancellations are scheduled for Thursday, with additional flights grounded on Friday. Air Canada Express flights,about 20% of the airline's daily passenger volume, will not be affected.
Passengers whose flights are cancelled will receive full refunds and, where possible, be rebooked with other carriers. However, the airline warned that alternatives might not be immediately available.
The strike's potential economic toll is already raising alarms. Newfoundland and Labrador's government, along with Hospitality NL, described the expected impact on tourism as "catastrophic," especially for small businesses during the critical summer season.
Air Canada operates in 64 countries with a fleet of 259 aircraft. The shutdown marks one of the most significant labor disruptions in its history, highlighting the tensions between management and frontline staff amid rising operational demands.
