Air Canada has begun resuming flight operations following a nearly four-day strike by its cabin crew, which grounded hundreds of flights and disrupted travel for over 500,000 passengers. AC800 departed Toronto for Dublin but its return AC801@09.50 from Dublin to Toronto was cancelled. Dublin to Vancouver AC919@09.20 and inbound AC918 have also both been cancelled.
The airline reached a tentative agreement with the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), representing approximately 10,000 flight attendants, early on Tuesday, 19 August, bringing an end to the first cabin crew strike in nearly 40 years. The deal, described by CUPE as achieving “transformational change” for workers, is set to restore services, though the airline cautions that a full return to normal operations may take up to ten days.
The strike, which began just after 1 a.m. on Saturday, 16 August, halted all Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge flights, while Air Canada Express services, operated by third-party carriers, remained unaffected. The stoppage stemmed from a bitter dispute over wages and unpaid ground work, such as boarding and deplaning, with the union arguing that Air Canada’s offer of a 38% compensation increase over four years—equating to roughly €26,000 annually for senior attendants by 2027—was insufficient, effectively amounting to a pay cut when adjusted for inflation. CUPE also highlighted that flight attendants were not paid for critical ground duties, a practice they deemed unfair compared to industry standards.
Negotiations reached a critical point after the Canadian government intervened, with Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu invoking Section 107 of the Canada Labour Code to order binding arbitration and a return to work. However, CUPE initially defied the Canada Industrial Relations Board’s (CIRB) directive, calling it an infringement on workers’ rights, before resuming talks with Air Canada on Monday evening. Mediated discussions, which extended into the early hours of Tuesday, culminated in the tentative agreement. While the full terms remain undisclosed pending union ratification, CUPE has stated that the deal addresses key issues, including compensation for previously unpaid ground work, and has urged members to cooperate fully with the resumption of operations.
Air Canada announced that flights recommenced gradually on Tuesday evening, with the airline operating around 700 daily flights to over 180 destinations worldwide. However, the carrier warned that some cancellations are expected over the next seven to ten days as aircraft and crew are repositioned. Passengers affected by cancellations are eligible for full refunds, travel credits, or rebooking on alternative airlines, though limited capacity during the peak summer travel season may delay re-accommodation. The airline has advised customers to check flight statuses online and avoid airports unless holding confirmed bookings with other carriers. Air Canada has also introduced a goodwill policy, allowing passengers with tickets for travel between 15 and 22 August to rebook without fees for flights up to 30 September, with an estimated cost to the airline of €7.3 million per day of disruption.
The strike’s impact was significant, with analytics firm Cirium estimating that 1,219 domestic and 1,339 international flights were cancelled since Thursday, 14 August. Travellers like Klaus Hickman, a retiree stranded in Calgary, expressed sympathy for the workers’ demands but voiced frustration over missed connections and the uncertainty caused by the stoppage. The airline’s decision to withdraw its third-quarter and full-year earnings guidance reflects the financial toll, compounded by existing challenges such as reduced U.S. bookings and new U.S. tariffs.
As Air Canada works to stabilise its schedule, the agreement marks a significant step towards resolving the labour dispute. Jobs Minister Hajdu has also pledged to investigate allegations of unpaid work in the airline sector, a move that could influence future industry practices. For now, passengers are urged to remain patient as Canada’s flag carrier navigates the complex process of restoring its global network, with the promise of a return to full service by early September.
