Air Canada, has suspended all operations after its 10,000 flight attendants, represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), launched a nationwide strike in the early hours of Saturday. The industrial action has forced the airline to ground more than 700 scheduled flights, disrupting travel for over 130,000 passengers worldwide.
CUPE confirmed the strike began at 12:58 a.m. local time (0401 GMT), after issuing a 72-hour notice earlier in the week.
The walkout follows weeks of failed negotiations over pay, working conditions, and compensation for unpaid duties performed on the ground.
Air Canada, which serves 180 destinations globally, said it had “no choice” but to halt operations, urging customers not to head to airports as flights remain suspended until further notice.
“We deeply regret the impact this strike is having on our passengers and their families, particularly during peak travel season,” the airline said in a statement.
At the heart of the strike is a long-standing industry practice—flight attendants are only paid from the moment an aircraft door closes until it reopens at arrival.
CUPE argues that this ignores hours of unpaid work, including assisting passengers with boarding, conducting safety checks, and handling delays.
“Flight attendants deserve to be paid for every aspect of the job, not just the airborne hours,” CUPE said. “Air Canada’s current offer undervalues our members’ contributions and fails to keep pace with inflation.”
Air Canada revealed its latest proposal on Thursday, stating that a senior flight attendant could earn an average of C$87,000 (US$65,000) annually by 2027.
CUPE dismissed the offer as “below market value,” refusing arbitration suggested by both the airline and the federal government.
The strike has thrown Canada’s busiest airports, including Toronto Pearson and Vancouver International, into chaos.
Long queues formed on Friday night as travellers scrambled to rebook flights or find alternative carriers.
By 8 p.m. Friday, Air Canada had already cancelled 623 flights, affecting more than 100,000 passengers.
The timing has intensified the crisis. August marks peak travel season, with families, tourists, and business travellers relying heavily on air transport.
The Business Council of Canada warned that a prolonged shutdown could further strain an economy already reeling from U.S. tariffs under President Donald Trump.
“At a time when Canada is facing unprecedented pressure on its supply chains, shutting down the country’s flagship airline poses immediate risks to passenger travel and cargo transport,” the council said.
Labour experts say the strike could set a precedent across the aviation sector.
“If CUPE secures concessions on unpaid ground duties, it will force other airlines to rethink how they compensate cabin crew,” said Rafael Gomez, Director of the University of Toronto’s Centre for Industrial Relations.
“This is not just about Air Canada—it could ripple through the global aviation industry.”
While analysts believe both sides are playing a high-stakes game of brinkmanship, few expect the strike to drag on for long.
Air Canada stands to lose hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue, while passengers face mounting frustration.
“The airline cannot afford to keep planes grounded during the busiest travel period of the year,” Gomez noted. “But the union also knows it holds maximum leverage right now.”
For now, stranded passengers are advised to check Air Canada’s website for updates and avoid unnecessary trips to airports.
With negotiations stalled, the Canadian government may face mounting pressure to intervene if the strike continues into the coming week.
