In a scenario that could see up to around 110,000 passengers – including hundreds of Aussie travellers – impacted daily, Air Canada is facing the prospect of shutting down most of its flights next week due to a potential pilot strike.
Air Canada announced on Monday that it is preparing to suspend most of its operations as contract negotiations with the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), representing over 5,200 pilots, remain unresolved.
In a statement, the airline said that if no agreement is reached by (Sunday) 15 September 2024, either side can issue a 72-hour strike or lockout notice, triggering a gradual shutdown of the airline’s services.
According to the carrier, the majority of passengers, who rely on Air Canada’s mainline services, could face significant disruptions.
It says that the number of global flyers impacted by the suspension will rise during the period to reach around 110,000 daily, unless a settlement is achieved within the 72-hour notice period.
What it means for flyers
Air Canada currently operates a daily service between Sydney and Vancouver and Brisbane and Vancouver, so the impact of a potential shutdown would have big implications for travel to Canada from Australia – especially considering AC operates the lion’s share of capacity between the two countries (Qantas operates a three-times-weekly service between Sydney and Vancouver).
Customers affected by cancellations will be notified and eligible for a full refund or rebooking, though seats on other airlines may be limited.
It adds that a goodwill policy in place since 27 August allows passengers with bookings from 15-23 September to change their plans without fees or receive travel credits.
Under Canada’s Airline Passenger Protection Regulations, passengers are not entitled to compensation for delays or cancellations caused by labour disruptions.
Air Canada advises customers to check their flight status online before heading to the airport and to use self-service tools (where possible) due to expected long wait times.
While Air Canada Express flights, operated by third-party carriers Jazz and PAL Airlines, will continue, they only account for 20 per cent of the airline’s daily customers.
If a shutdown occurs, Air Canada estimates it could take seven to ten days to fully resume operations once a settlement is reached.
It adds that cargo services will also be impacted during this period.
Air Canada CEO and President Michael Rousseau said the shutdown could still be avoided “provided ALPA moderates its wage demands which far exceed average Canadian wage increases”.
“However, Canadians have recently seen the chaos abrupt airline shutdowns cause for travellers, which obliges us to do everything we can to protect our customers from an increasingly likely work stoppage,” he said.
“This includes the extremely difficult decision to begin an orderly shutdown of Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge once a 72-hour strike or lock out notice is given, possibly as early as this Sunday.”
Whilst apologising to customers, Rousseau stressed that “a managed shutdown is the only responsible course available to us”.
“We are publicising our plans to give the more than 110,000 people who travel with us each day greater certainty and the opportunity to reduce the risk of being stranded by using our goodwill policy to change or defer imminent travel at no cost,” he remarked.
“We are also alerting the Government of Canada to the potential disruption’s impact upon Canadians.”
Passengers seeking more information, should visit www.aircanada.com/action.
Flight Centre consultants (and Karryon) recently went behind the scenes at Brisbane Airport to follow the Air Canada passenger boarding process from go to (almost) take-off, including a sneak peek at a fully kitted-out Dreamliner and how the inflight meal ends up on your tray table.
