Air Canada Cancels Flights Amid Union Strike Threat, Passengers Stranded

URGENT UPDATE: Air Canada has just announced significant flight cancellations, with all Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge flights grounded by Saturday. Passengers at Calgary International Airport are facing chaos as they scramble to secure alternative travel plans ahead of the weekend.

The airline’s decision comes on the heels of a 72-hour strike notice from the union representing 10,000 flight attendants. In a tense standoff, Air Canada issued a lockout notice, confirming that the discussions with the union reached an impasse after the union declined to enter binding arbitration. Key issues include wages, work rules, and unpaid hours, leaving many travelers anxious about their journeys.

Passengers are expressing their concerns. “I was up most of the night worried about how we’re going to get home on Monday,” said Emily Halliday, who changed her return flight from Toronto to WestJet despite the high costs. “It was very expensive, but we need to be back in Calgary, and we don’t have time to drive back, so we’re stuck.”

According to Air Canada, customers affected by the cancellations are eligible for a full refund. However, air passenger rights advocate Gabor Lukacs warns that travelers must understand their rights. “As long as the strike has not begun, any cancellation attributed to the intention to strike is a business decision by the airline,” he emphasized. He provided critical advice: “Passengers should not accept a refund from Air Canada. They should insist on their right to rebook. If Air Canada refuses to rebook them, then they should buy a ticket with a competitor and insist Air Canada pay for the cost.”

Lukacs highlighted that passengers deserve compensation, including meals, accommodations, and a lump sum compensation of up to $1,000, should their flights be canceled. He cautioned against letting Air Canada off the hook too easily, as the refund may serve as a quick way for the airline to avoid fulfilling their rebooking obligations.

Daily, approximately 130,000 customers rely on Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge for travel. The ripple effects of these cancellations are anticipated to disrupt travel across the industry. “We currently have no plans to adjust our operations, but in situations where there is an uncontrollable impact on Canadian air travel, WestJet will explore opportunities to support Canadians wherever possible,” stated WestJet spokesperson Josh Yeats.

With tensions high and the situation developing rapidly, passengers are urged to stay informed about their rights and the latest updates from Air Canada as they navigate this turbulent period. The next few days will be crucial for travelers as they try to secure their travel plans amid this airline crisis.