Air Canada is set to cancel dozens of flights ahead of a weekend strike by its flight attendants, which could throw thousands into chaos during the peak summer season. The airline will suspend operations for three days, ending with “a complete cessation of flying” on Saturday, when the lockout begins.
The cancellations are expected to have ripple effects across air travel, given Air Canada’s significant presence in the industry and its connections to the US and international destinations. The airline warned that it may not offer flights for several weeks even if a deal is reached with the union quickly.
Air Canada has nearly 430 daily flights between Canada and the US at over 50 airports, meaning hundreds of thousands of passengers could be impacted by the lockout. The airline will try to accommodate disrupted travelers by rebooking them on competitor airlines or offering full refunds.
The strike comes after a vote by the Canadian Union of Public Employees, which represents Air Canada’s flight attendants, with nearly all members (99.7%) voting in favor. The union says it rejected a proposal from Air Canada that offered a 38% compensation increase over four years.
Air travel disruptions are expected to spread beyond Canada, given Air Canada’s extensive international network and membership in the Star Alliance, which includes major carriers like United Airlines and Turkish Airlines.
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/08/14/business/air-canada-strike-lockout-cancellations