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2w ago

Air Canada Begins Phased Shutdown Ahead of Flight Attendant Strike

Flight cancellations will continue through Saturday following CUPE’s rejection of a revised labour proposal.

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The Air Canada check-in area inside Terminal 1 of Toronto Pearson International Airport is pictured in Mississauga, Ont., on Wednesday, August 13 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Arlyn McAdorey
Air Canada flight attendants during a demonstration at Toronto Pearson International Airport in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, on Monday, Aug. 11, 2025. Workers represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), are holding a simultaneous action at airports in Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver, and Calgary, to raise awareness about ongoing issues related to their working conditions. Photographer: Arlyn McAdorey/Bloomberg
Air Canada executives are interrupted by Air Canada flight attendants during a press conference as a possible strike looms, in Toronto, on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

Overview

  • Air Canada issued a 72-hour lockout notice after CUPE served its own strike notice, triggering a gradual wind-down of mainline and Rouge operations with cancellations starting on Aug. 14.
  • The airline’s four-year offer promised a 38% increase in total compensation, ground pay and enhanced benefits alongside binding arbitration, but CUPE said it still fell short of inflation and refused the proposal.
  • Mainline and Rouge services risk a complete halt by Aug. 16 if no accord is reached, while regional flights operated by Jazz and PAL under Air Canada Express will continue at reduced capacity.
  • Passengers with cancelled itineraries are eligible for full refunds or flexible rebooking, though Air Canada warns that peak-season carrier capacity may limit alternative options.
  • Federal mediators remain on standby to help broker a deal but Ottawa has not compelled binding arbitration, leaving both sides racing to avoid a full suspension during peak travel.