Air Canada Prepares for Potential Flight Cancellations Amid Strike Threat

Air Canada announced plans to begin cancelling flights on Thursday, August 14, 2025, in anticipation of a potential strike by flight attendants represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE). The airline is taking proactive measures to ensure an orderly shutdown of operations if an agreement with the union is not reached by the…

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Air Canada Prepares for Potential Flight Cancellations Amid Strike Threat

Air Canada announced plans to begin cancelling flights on Thursday, August 14, 2025, in anticipation of a potential strike by flight attendants represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE). The airline is taking proactive measures to ensure an orderly shutdown of operations if an agreement with the union is not reached by the deadline.

In coordination with Toronto Pearson International Airport, Air Canada is establishing an aircraft parking plan to manage the expected disruption. The airport is looking beyond crisis communication and improving its toolkit to keep things moving even amid this new normal of uncertainty. Teams from both Toronto Pearson and Vancouver International Airport are preparing for the possibility of a strike, which could commence at 9:58 p.m. PT on Friday if negotiations fail.

Air Canada is obviously keen to seal a sweetheart deal with CUPE at the eleventh hour. Tempers are flaring as the union claims that the airline has lost its willingness to continue negotiating terms. Both airports are quickly increasing the number of terminal personnel. They remain eager to assist the affected passengers and address the flood of inquiries and concerns they will likely face.

An airport sign warning that the success of a smooth trip is at risk from “Labour Disruption” at Toronto Pearson Airport. This sign helps travelers know what’s going on now.

In the case of a full shutdown, it would take Air Canada one week to return to full operations. This new revised timeline further emphasizes the extreme negative effects this will have on affected travelers and the larger national aviation ecosystem.

“Meanwhile, a worker earning federal minimum wage at $17.75 per hour would earn $2,840.00 per month pre-taxes,” – the union

Air Canada remains engaged to find a way through this difficult circumstance. The airline said that its priority remains reaching an agreement that both serves its operational needs and recognizes the needs of its flight attendants. As issues have enormous ramifications for customers and the air carrier business, all parties are intently watching improvements in this energetic labor dispute.

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