Air Canada is preparing to cancel flights from Thursday as it moves toward a full shutdown by Saturday in response to a possible strike by its flight attendants.
The airline says the step is intended to allow an orderly halt to operations for both Air Canada and its low-cost arm, Air Canada Rouge.
The Canadian Union of Public Employees, representing about 10,000 flight attendants, issued a 72-hour strike notice on Wednesday. In turn, the airline served a lockout notice.
The dispute centres on contract negotiations that have stalled, with the union citing low wages and unpaid duties when aircraft are not in motion as key unresolved issues.
Air Canada said customers with cancelled flights will be notified and given full refunds. Where possible, alternative arrangements will be offered through other Canadian and international carriers.
The company has expressed regret over the disruption’s impact on travellers, communities, and stakeholders.
Talks between the airline and the union reached an impasse earlier in the week.
The airline had proposed binding arbitration, but the union rejected the idea, preferring a negotiated deal that members could vote on directly.
If the strike goes ahead, all scheduled flights by the country’s largest carrier will be halted over the weekend, potentially leaving many passengers seeking alternate travel options during the busy summer travel season.