Air Canada Passengers Urged to Avoid Vancouver Airport Amid Strike

Passengers traveling with Air Canada are advised to stay away from Vancouver International Airport (YVR) unless they possess a confirmed booking on an alternative airline. This guidance follows the suspension of mainline operations at Air Canada, which took effect on March 15, 2024, after failed negotiations between the airline and the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), representing approximately 10,000 flight attendants.

YVR officials issued a statement urging Air Canada customers to refrain from coming to the airport unless they have secured another flight. “The point about not coming to the airport is that if they haven’t yet booked, people who are looking for alternate flights are just much better to do that from home online,” said YVR spokesperson Stephen Smart. He noted that the airport is increasing staffing levels this weekend to assist any passengers with connecting flights on Air Canada who may need help finding alternative travel options.

In light of the strike, passengers are encouraged to check their flight status and explore rebooking options at aircanada.com before heading to the airport. While operations for Air Canada Jazz and Air Canada Express remain unaffected, the suspension of mainline services has already begun impacting travelers worldwide.

As of Saturday morning, operations at YVR have been reported to be running smoothly, although passengers are advised to allow extra time for their journeys. This is due to many flights being at capacity, resulting in potential delays at loading areas. “It’s pretty much business as usual, other than if you walk past the Air Canada check-ins, they are very quiet,” Smart added.

The ongoing labour dispute has prompted Patty Hajdu, Canada’s Minister of Jobs, to hold a news conference on Parliament Hill to discuss the strike. On March 15, she called on both the airline and the union to return to negotiations. The CUPE Air Canada component has indicated that pivotal issues in the negotiations revolve around wages, which have not kept pace with inflation, and concerns regarding unpaid labor when planes are on the ground.

The flight attendants overwhelmingly supported a strike mandate, with a vote of 99.7 percent in favor just last week. After initial talks resumed, the parties reached an impasse by Tuesday, prompting Air Canada to begin a gradual suspension of its operations, culminating in a complete halt on Saturday.

Travelers like Keelin Pringnitz from Ottawa have already felt the repercussions of the strike. She and her family, returning from a European vacation, found themselves stranded at London’s Heathrow Airport due to flight cancellations. “It was an end of my maternity leave kind of trip. We went to the Faroe Islands in Norway, traveling through Air Canada to London,” Pringnitz recounted, as she worked to secure an alternative route home.

As the situation develops, travelers are advised to stay informed and explore all available options. With the impact of the strike being felt across the aviation sector, the focus remains on resolving the issues at hand and restoring normal operations at Air Canada.