Air Canada Strike Chaos: 130,000 Passengers Face Cancellations – Your Survival Guide

Air Canada is facing significant travel disruption as flight attendants represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) prepare to strike on Saturday, 16 August 2025. After eight months of unsuccessful negotiations, the airline will begin phasing out flights starting Thursday, 14 August, warning passengers of widespread cancellations that could affect up to 130,000 travellers daily during the busy summer travel season.

Flight Attendants Demand Fair Pay Amid Contract Stalemate

The strike follows CUPE's rejection of Air Canada's proposal, which included a 38% wage increase over four years, improved pensions, better rest provisions, and partial compensation for ground duties such as boarding and safety checks — work attendants say still goes unpaid.

Wesley Lesosky, CUPE's Air Canada component president, said: 'We are ready. We are strong and we will not back down.' The union argues the airline's offer is insufficient and that binding arbitration would keep existing inequities in place.

CUPE officially issued a 72-hour strike notice and intends to launch industrial action starting 16 August unless a deal is reached.

Air Canada Issues Lockout Notice and Begins Flight Suspension

In response, Air Canada issued a statutory lockout notice to CUPE and began an orderly wind down of its Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge operations to minimise disruption. Cancellations will ramp up from 14 August, with a full suspension by 16 August.

Regional services operated by Air Canada Express through subsidiaries Jazz Aviation and PAL Airlines will continue, but these account for only 20% of daily passenger volume.

Air Canada CEO Michael Rousseau said in a statement: 'We regret the impact a disruption will have on our customers, our stakeholders and the communities we serve. However, the disappointing conduct of CUPE's negotiators and the union's stated intention to launch a strike puts us in a position where our only responsible course of action is to provide certainty by implementing an orderly suspension.'

Major Impact on Passenger Travel Plans

Around 130,000 passengers per day — including 25,000 Canadians returning from overseas — could be affected. Air Canada advises customers travelling between 15 and 18 August 2025 to reschedule without penalty for trips between 21 August and 12 September, provided tickets were purchased before 13 August.

The airline says it will rebook travellers on the earliest available flights or partner carriers and will offer full refunds for cancelled journeys. According to Travel and Tour World, cancellation notices and rebooking options will be sent via email and SMS, though options may be limited in peak season.

Air Canada Seeks Government Arbitration to Resolve Dispute

Air Canada has asked the federal government to invoke Section 107 of the Canada Labour Code, which allows for binding third-party arbitration in deadlocked labour talks. The airline says this is necessary to prevent prolonged disruptions to travellers, businesses, and the economy.

While negotiations remain stalled, both sides say they are open to dialogue — but acknowledge there is still a significant gap between CUPE's demands and Air Canada's offer.

For more updates on flight cancellations, visit the Air Canada website.