Air Canada Flights Grounded as Staff Strike Hits 130,000 Passengers

UPDATE: Air Canada has officially grounded all flights as a strike by cabin staff begins, impacting travel plans for approximately 130,000 passengers per day. The strike, initiated by the union representing over 10,000 flight attendants, commenced at 00:58 ET (04:58 GMT) on Saturday, March 25, and is set to last for 72 hours.

With around 500 flights affected daily, Air Canada has advised passengers not to travel to the airport unless flying with an alternate airline. This includes all operations under its budget division, Air Canada Rouge. The airline expressed deep regret over the disruption, stating that “Air Canada deeply regrets the effect the strike is having on customers.”

Flight attendants are demanding higher wages and compensation for work performed while aircraft are on the ground. In response, Air Canada proposed a 38% increase in total compensation over four years, including a 25% raise in the first year. However, the union, CUPE, has rejected this offer, arguing it falls “below inflation, below market value, below minimum wage.”

Earlier this week, Air Canada began canceling flights, with 623 flights already scrapped by Friday night, affecting over 100,000 passengers. Passengers at major Canadian airports have been seen scrambling to secure new bookings, exacerbating the chaos.

Canadian jobs minister Patty Hajdu urged both parties to return to the bargaining table, emphasizing the need to avoid further disruption. She noted that Air Canada had requested her to refer the dispute to binding arbitration, a move CUPE has criticized.

The union claims it has been negotiating in good faith for more than eight months, but alleges that Air Canada has not approached talks with sincerity. “When we stood strong together, Air Canada didn’t come to the table in good faith,” CUPE stated in a message to its members.

As the strike unfolds, many travelers are left in the lurch, facing uncertainty as they attempt to navigate the sudden changes to their travel plans. The situation remains fluid, and the impact on air travel could extend beyond the initial strike period if negotiations do not resume swiftly.

For affected passengers, the situation is dire, with the prospect of long-term travel disruptions looming. As more details emerge, travelers are urged to stay informed and seek alternative arrangements as this story continues to develop.