Air Canada plans to cancel numerous flights by the end of today and approximately 500 flights by Friday, impacting around 100,000 travelers, ahead of a strike by union flight attendants scheduled for Saturday.
Mark Nasr, the CEO of Air Canada, explained that the intricacy of the airline’s operations, which includes over 250 aircraft flying to more than 65 countries, means that adjustments need to start now. Restarting operations will take about a week, he noted.
“This isn’t a system that can just be switched off and on,” Nasr stated during a press briefing in Toronto.
As of Thursday noon, FlightAware reported nine flights had already been canceled.
The planned strike coincides with a peak travel season, potentially deterring tourists and presenting challenges for the government led by Prime Minister Mark Carney.
Air Canada, alongside its low-cost counterpart, Air Canadaluge, caters to roughly 130,000 passengers per day.
Additionally, Air Canada holds the title of being the U.S.’s largest foreign carrier.
United Airlines, which is a codeshare partner with Air Canada, has activated a travel exemption, enabling customers to modify their travel plans accordingly.
Travelers have shared their worries with Reuters about the potential of missing vacations or being stranded abroad amidst the impending strike, while still voicing support for the flight attendants.
David Nuguen, a 28-year-old pharmacist vacationing in Cancun, expressed anxiety over his return flight to Toronto being canceled. He mentioned attempting to book another flight but found all collectable options were sold out, with remaining choices being quite pricey—over $1,000.
“If my flight gets canceled, I really don’t know what I’m going to do next, so I guess that puts me in a bit of a bind,” he said, adding that he believes Air Canada should fairly compensate its flight attendants.
Summer Maidy, a 19-year-old student at Queens University, mentioned her family’s plans to travel from Toronto to Lisbon on Saturday are now uncertain. “My family and I are totally on board with the strikes. It’s clear that the employees deserve what they’re asking for,” she noted. “I hope for better communication because it’s a stressful situation for everyone.”
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Earlier, Canadian Employment Minister Patty Hajdu urged major airlines and unions to renegotiate to prevent confusion and disruption.
A representative from the Canadian Civil Service Coalition, which represents 10,000 flight attendants, stated that Air Canada’s negotiators were unresponsive to proposals made earlier this week.
“We believe the federal government should intervene and support us,” the representative said. The union, Cupe, has previously expressed opposition to binding arbitration.
Ariel Mellur Wicksler, Air Canada’s Chief Human Resources Officer, indicated that negotiations can occur anytime if they are substantial.
During a recent press conference, an Air Canada executive’s remarks were interrupted by protesting union members holding signs.
The primary issue lies in how airlines compensate flight attendants. Typically, flight attendants are paid only when the plane is in operation. However, current contract negotiations are focused on ensuring compensation for hours worked on tasks like boarding passengers and waiting at the airport.
While the union claims Air Canada has offered to start compensating for unpaid work, it would only be at 50% of the hourly rate.
The airline argues that it has raised flight attendant total payouts by 38% over four years, with a 25% pay increase in the first year.
($1 = 1.3811 Canadian Dollar)
