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Air Canada halted all operations as 10,000 flight attendants went on strike, impacting 130,000 passengers in a day. Refunds and rebooking options are available for flyers.
The flight attendants went on a strike after a deadline to reach a new contract passed without reaching an agreement. (Image: AP/file photo)
Thousands of flyers around the world were left stranded after Air Canada suspended all operations early Saturday. The flight operations were suspended after more than 10,000 flight attendants walked off the job during the busy summer travel season. The strike began at 12:58 am EDT.
The Canadian flag carrier clarified that flights by Air Canada Express, which are operated by third-party airlines, are not affected.
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“Air Canada today said that it has suspended all operations of Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge due to a strike by its 10,000 flight attendants represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE). The strike took effect at 12:58 am Eastern Time on August 16, 2025. Flights by Air Canada Express, which are operated by third-party airlines, are not affected,” the airline said in a notification released on its website.
According to news agency Associated Press, the flight attendants went on a strike after a deadline to reach a new contract passed without reaching an agreement.
AP reported, the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) confirmed the walkout, and Air Canada responded by locking out flight attendants and grounding all flights. The shutdown will affect approximately 130,000 passengers in a day, including around 25,000 Canadians abroad.
The labour dispute has been intensifying for weeks. On Friday, CUPE rejected Air Canada’s request for government-directed arbitration, which would taken away its right to strike and allowed a third party to set contract terms.
Talks have stalled over pay and unpaid work time, with the union saying the airline hasn’t countered their recent proposals since Tuesday.
Federal Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu met with both sides Friday evening, urging them to reach a deal. “It is unacceptable that such little progress has been made. Canadians are counting on both parties to put forward their best efforts,” Hajdu said in a statement posted on social media.
The strike has upended travel plans for many, including a 21 year-old Montreal resident, Alex Laroche, who spent $8,000 on a nonrefundable European vacation. Now, his Saturday night flight to Nice, France, hangs in the balance.
“At this point, it’s just a waiting game,” Laroche said, adding that while initially upset, he now supports the strike after learning about the low wages flight attendants earn.
Air Canada said it offered a 38% compensation increase over four years, but the union deemed the first-year 8% raise insufficient given inflation.
The airline said will offer refunds and try to rebook passengers through other carriers.
“Air Canada is strongly advising affected customers not to go to the airport unless they have a confirmed ticket on an airline other than Air Canada or Air Canada Rouge. Air Canada will notify customers with imminent travel of additional cancelled flights and their options. For those customers due to travel soon whose flights are not yet cancelled, Air Canada has put in place a goodwill policy to allow them to rebook their travel or obtain a credit for future travel. For more information customers should visit aircanada.com/action,” the airline statement further read.
About the Author
Manisha Roy is a Senior Sub-Editor at News18.com’s general desk. She comes with an experience of over 5 years in media industry. She covers politics and other hard news. She can be contacted at Manisha.Roy@nw18…Read More
Manisha Roy is a Senior Sub-Editor at News18.com’s general desk. She comes with an experience of over 5 years in media industry. She covers politics and other hard news. She can be contacted at Manisha.Roy@nw18… Read More
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