Air Canada Cancels Flights As Work Stoppage Nears

Aug 13, 2025 - 14:00
Air Canada Cancels Flights As Work Stoppage Nears

Montreal-based Air Canada (AC) has begun canceling flights as a work stoppage by its flight attendants approaches.

The union representing around 10,000 Air Canada flight attendants issued a 72-hour strike notice on Aug. 13, paving the way for a strike to begin on Aug. 16.

In response, Air Canada issued a lockout notice to the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), which represents the flight attendants.

Air Canada also issued a public notice that it will begin canceling flights on Aug. 14 in anticipation of a complete shutdown of its network by this coming weekend.

The carrier said that customers whose flights are cancelled will be notified and they will be eligible for a full refund.

The union and Air Canada say they have reached an impasse in contract talks. The union has said its main sticking point revolves around what it calls flight attendants’ “poverty wages.”

However, the union has rejected Air Canada’s offer of a 32.5% wage increase and also turned down a proposal from the airline to enter binding arbitration, saying it prefers to negotiate a deal.

Air Canada’s stock is down 13% this year and trading at $19.54 per share in Toronto.