Air Canada strike: hundreds of flights canceled

Air Canada is canceling more flights after its flight attendants’ union issued a 72-hour strike notice. Unless a deal is reached within the next three days, Canada’s largest airline may come to a complete halt, affecting up to 130,000 travelers daily.

Hundreds of flights already canceled

The carrier is gradually reducing its schedule to make it easier to restart operations once an agreement is reached. By Friday evening, about 500 flights had been canceled, and by early Saturday, the entire fleet is expected to be grounded. Long-haul international routes are the first to be affected, leaving as many as 25,000 Canadians stranded abroad each day.

Chief Operations Officer Mark Nasr said restarting the full network would take at least a week. The airline is offering full refunds and trying to rebook passengers on other carriers.

Union demands fair pay

The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), representing about 10,000 flight attendants, is pushing for better pay and compensation for time spent on the ground — currently unpaid. Air Canada has offered a 38% total compensation increase over four years, but the union says it’s not enough.

Can Ottawa intervene?

The airline proposed binding arbitration, which the union rejected in favor of direct talks and a membership vote. Federal Labor Minister Patty Hajdu urged both sides to reach a deal but did not rule out government action.

Impact on travelers, including those from Poland

Passengers flying through Canada or using Air Canada for connecting flights should expect cancellations and delays. With around 130,000 travelers affected daily, disruptions may continue even after the strike ends.