Travellers are in a rush as Air Canada announces it will start axing flights on Thursday before a potential strike. Over 10,000 flight attendants might initiate a walkout beginning on Saturday. The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), representing approximately 10,000 Air Canada flight attendants, issued a strike notice with a 72-hour lead time just before 1 a.m. ET on Wednesday. Shortly after, Air Canada announced its plans to lock out the flight attendants. An estimated 130,000 customers daily could face disruptions, according to Air Canada.
Passengers who have existing bookings expressed their anxiety over the situation. Robin Benard, a bride-to-be with a wedding scheduled in Australia, shared with CBC that her travel arrangements are now on hold due to CUPE’s strike notice, causing immense stress.
The first flight cancellations are set for Thursday, escalating on Friday, with a complete halt of Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge flights by the weekend if no last-minute agreement is reached with the flight attendants’ union. Affected customers will receive notifications of cancellations through email and text messages, with options for full refunds. Air Canada has also arranged alternatives with other carriers for impacted passengers.
Passengers traveling between August 15 and 18 have the option to change their flights free of charge if tickets were purchased by August 13. The airline also allows rebooking to a different date between August 21 and September 12. Air Canada emphasized the flexibility for rebooking and assured passengers of their commitment to finding suitable solutions amidst the disruption.
Air Canada’s obligations to passengers, as outlined by John Gradek from McGill University, include communication of cancellations, providing alternative travel options, and issuing refunds where necessary. The ongoing negotiations between CUPE and Air Canada revolve around wage disputes, work regulations, and unpaid hours, with talks reaching an impasse despite earlier optimism of a resolution.
The negotiations between the parties have hit roadblocks, leading to increased tensions as the strike deadline approaches. Both sides have voiced their frustrations, indicating a significant gap in addressing core issues. The uncertainty surrounding the strike has left passengers and the airline industry bracing for potential disruptions.
