Air Canada is preparing contingency plans to suspend most operations if a contract agreement with pilots union ALPA is not reached by September 15.
The airline claims the sides are “far apart” in negotiations, with CEO Michael Rosseau prioritizing customer protection to prevent chaos from a work stoppage.
Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge operate approximately 670 daily flights, carrying over 110,000 passengers, while regional partner flights would continue but account for only 20pc of daily customers. The airline operates globally to 47 countries with a fleet of 252 aircraft, all of which would need to be repositioned or repatriated along with their crews.
Customers are encouraged to use the airline’s policy to defer travel at no cost, and in the event of a shutdown, Air Canada estimates it could take 7 to 10 days to resume normal operations after a settlement is reached.
The plan:
- Air Canada is planning an orderly wind-down of operations starting with a 72-hour notice for a potential strike or lockout, which could lead to a complete flight suspension by September 18.
- Preparatory actions, including cancelling holiday packages and grounding aircraft, are expected to begin as early as September 13.
- If a settlement isn’t reached within the notice period, around 110,000 passengers could be affected daily, but the airline aims to optimize aircraft positioning to facilitate a quicker return to normal operations and ensure routine maintenance is performed.
- Air Canada is providing updates on potential service suspensions at aircanada.com/action, and customers will be informed if their flights are cancelled and eligible for a full refund online or via the mobile app.
- The airline is coordinating with other carriers to secure travel options for customers affected by cancellations, although available seats on alternative airlines are expected to be very limited.
- Since August 27, Air Canada has implemented a goodwill policy allowing customers traveling between September 15 and 23, 2024, to change bookings at no cost or receive a credit for future travel.
- Customers are advised to refrain from going to the airport without a confirmed new booking during a labour disruption and to check flight status online, as contact centre wait times may be significantly increased.
