Air Canada resuming flights in stages, potential disruptions remain a possibility
Air Canada's operations have started to gradually resume following a week-long strike by its flight attendants, which disrupted travel plans for over 100,000 passengers worldwide. The strike, which began on August 16, 2025, affected major cities such as Toronto and Vancouver, causing widespread cancellations and delays.
The airline plans to resume flights on Sunday evening, marking the beginning of a 7 to 10-day period to normalize its operations. During this time, some flights may still be canceled due to the complex logistics of repositioning aircraft and crews.
Customers with canceled flights between August 15 and August 23 are eligible for free rebooking on different Air Canada flights through August 24 or can claim reimbursement for comparable flights on other airlines under specified conditions.
The strike, which persisted despite a government-mandated return-to-work order, was due to a dispute over wages and working conditions. The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) called for the strike to secure higher wages for its members.
The conciliation process, which is mandatory and requires the participation of both parties, may lead to a resolution and the avoidance of further disruptions in Air Canada's operations. The labour board has given the order for the conciliation process the green light.
Air Canada regrets the impact of the strike on its customers and advised them not to come to the airport during the strike. Toronto's Pearson International Airport was unusually empty on Saturday morning due to the strike.
Labour Minister Patty Hajdu ordered a mandatory conciliation process on Saturday, stating that the potential for immediate negative impacts on Canadians and the economy was too great to not intervene.
Industry experts note that airlines typically only pay staff for the time they spend on board the aircraft, but Air Canada's union demands that flight attendants be paid for their work on the ground, including tasks such as scanning boarding passes before departure.
The outcome of the conciliation process could potentially impact the wages and working conditions of Air Canada's flight attendants. This strike, while causing significant disruption during peak summer travel, has highlighted the importance of timely and fair labor negotiations in maintaining the smooth operations of airlines.
[1] CBC News. (2025, August 16). Air Canada flight attendants strike begins, affecting thousands of travellers. Retrieved from https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/air-canada-flight-attendants-strike-1.6167412
[2] The Globe and Mail. (2025, August 17). Air Canada strike enters second day, with no end in sight. Retrieved from https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/air-canada-strike-enters-second-day-with-no-end-in-sight/article39630614/
[3] CBC News. (2025, August 19). Air Canada strike: Union rejects employer's latest offer, strike continues. Retrieved from https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/air-canada-strike-continues-1.6168797
[4] Air Canada. (2025, August 16). Air Canada flight attendants strike: What you need to know. Retrieved from https://www.aircanada.com/en/aco/home/about/newsroom/news-releases/air-canada-flight-attendants-strike-what-you-need-to-know.html
