Air Canada Flight to Ottawa Cancelled Amid Labour Disruption

Air Canada has cancelled its flight AC356 from Calgary to Ottawa due to a significant labour disruption affecting operations. The cancellation, which occurred on August 17, 2023, left many passengers stranded and frustrated, as they were informed via text message that the airline was unable to rebook them on alternative flights.

Passengers had initially gathered in Calgary’s airport with hopes of boarding their flight home after a series of successful connections from Portland to Vancouver. However, as delays mounted, anxiety grew. The flight was delayed multiple times, with the Air Canada app citing “airport limitations” as the reason for the hold-up.

As the situation unfolded, passengers witnessed a stream of other flights being delayed on the information screens. Tensions escalated when the announcement of the cancellation was finally made at 15:25. In response, a wave of confusion and anger swept through the waiting area, with passengers expressing their frustrations to gate agents who had little information to provide.

The chaos stemmed from a strike involving over 10,000 Air Canada flight attendants. Negotiations between the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) and the airline had stalled, primarily over issues related to wages and ground pay. Air Canada announced a lockout in response to CUPE’s strike notice, and by the afternoon of August 19, Minister of Jobs and Families Patty Hajdu intervened, demanding binding arbitration to resolve the dispute.

In the waiting area, passengers shared their concerns. A man voiced his frustration, demanding to know why flight attendants could not be found, while others worried about missing important family gatherings. One elderly woman repeatedly refreshed the Air Canada app, desperate for an update, only to be met with silence.

Following the cancellation notice, Air Canada informed passengers that they were searching for rebooking options across more than 120 airlines. However, a subsequent message revealed that they had been unable to secure any alternative flights after extensive searches.

The atmosphere in the airport quickly deteriorated, with passengers confronting agents and seeking answers about their next steps. Many expressed sympathy for the flight attendants, recognizing the challenging conditions they faced, while others criticized Air Canada for their handling of the situation.

As the evening progressed, long lines formed at Air Canada’s check-in counters, where staff struggled to manage the influx of affected travelers. An employee warned that it was unlikely any passengers would be able to fly to Ottawa that night or even the following day, indicating that many might need to stay in Calgary for several days.

A woman in the queue broke down in tears, fearing job loss due to her inability to return home. Another family voiced concerns about a costly summer camp they had paid for, which was at risk due to the travel disruption.

Air Canada staff distributed flyers detailing the ongoing labour negotiations and their impact on travel plans. Many passengers were unaware of their rights under the Air Passenger Protection Regulations, which require airlines to rebook passengers or provide refunds if alternative arrangements do not meet their needs.

As I finally reached the counter after over an hour of waiting, the agent informed me that the earliest flight to Ottawa was not until August 19, 2023, at 23:55 via Porter Airlines. Attempts to find alternative flights to nearby cities were futile, as all routes were fully booked.

With no available hotel accommodations due to a concurrent music festival in Calgary, I was fortunate to secure a place to stay with a friend. Many others, however, faced uncertain nights and the prospect of sleeping in the airport without options.

This incident highlights the unpredictable nature of air travel and the human impact of labour disputes in the airline industry. As I departed the check-in area, I wondered about the fate of hundreds of other passengers still seeking answers and solutions to their travel woes.