Air Canada Resumes Flights Following Strike Settlement

UPDATE: Air Canada has announced it will “gradually restart its operations” following a resolution to the flight attendant strike that disrupted travel for nearly 500,000 customers in Canada and the U.S. The airline confirmed the settlement with the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) on August 15, 2023, and initial flights are expected to resume as early as Tuesday evening.

After days of cancellations and uncertainty, the strike involving 10,000 flight attendants officially concluded. These workers had refused to return to their posts despite a government order, citing issues over wages and unpaid labor. CUPE argued that Air Canada’s wages have not kept pace with inflation or market rates and demanded compensation for pre-flight and post-landing duties.

Michael Rousseau, Air Canada’s president and CEO, expressed regret over the disruptions caused. “The suspension of our service is extremely difficult for our customers. We deeply regret and apologize for the impact on them of this labor disruption,” he stated in a recent press release.

The airline participated in mediation to resolve the dispute under specific conditions, including the union’s commitment to have the flight attendants return to work immediately. The process of returning to full service is described as a “complex undertaking,” which could take up to a week or longer.

Customers are advised that while some flights will resume shortly, full regular service may not be established for another seven to ten days as the airline aligns its fleet and crews. “During this process, some flights will be canceled over the next seven to ten days until the schedule is stabilized,” Air Canada announced.

The impact of this strike has been significant, forcing the cancellation of hundreds of flights and affecting travel plans across North America. Despite the disruptions, United Airlines, Air Canada’s American partner, reported that very few of its customers were impacted by the strike.

As Air Canada works diligently to restore operations, travelers are urged to stay informed about their flight status and prepare for potential delays. The airline’s efforts to resume service are critical not only for the company but also for the countless individuals whose travel plans have been significantly affected by this strike.

Stay tuned for further updates as Air Canada navigates this transition back to normal operation.