Air Canada halted all operations Saturday morning after more than 10,000 flight attendants finished work beyond wage and conflict schedules and urged the Canadian government to step in.
Employment and Family Minister Patty Hajidu directed the Canadian Commission on Labor and Management Relations to impose binding arbitration and extended the existing contract until a new contract was reached.
“This decision will help ensure that hundreds of thousands of Canadians and visitors to our country will not be affected due to cancelled flights,” Hajidu said in a statement on Saturday afternoon.
The strike has already overturned travel plans around the world during the summer season.
Canada’s largest airline and national flag bearer, the airline estimates that around 130,000 customers will be affected daily, as around 700 flights are suspended each day.
Hajdu warned that the strike could have a serious impact on the Canadian economy, noting that Air Canada transports more than 40% of the country’s important goods, including medicines and organ tissue.
It is unclear how long the strike will last and when the deal will be reached. Air Canada’s chief operating officer Mark Nasr warned that even after the agreement it could take up to a week for operations to resume fully.
Air Canada is urging affected customers not to go to the airport unless they have confirmed tickets with airlines other than Air Canada or Air Canada Dalughes. Air Canada Express Partners’ Jazz and flights operated by PAL Airlines will not be affected.
Passengers will be notified of their flight being cancelled. Here’s what travelers need to know:
Request a refund or credit
Customers who book Air Canada Flights before August 15 for a Saturday or Sunday trip can cancel a full refund for unused portions of their tickets, regardless of the type of fare.
Travelers can also select the travel credits they will use for future Air Canada bookings.
For other travel dates, refundable ticket holders may request a full refund at no charge. Non-refundable fares can be converted to credits for future trips.
Air Canada can rebook your flight
If you forget to refund, Air Canada said it would try to rebook you, including other carriers.
However, airlines serving more than 180 airports across Canada, the US and six continents have warned that seats are very limited during their peak summer months.
“The capacity available on our airlines and other airlines is limited due to peak summer travel, meaning we are unlikely to rebook you within an acceptable time frame,” Air Canada said in a news release on Saturday.
Passengers can also rebook flights between August 21st and September 12th at no additional cost.
Impact on other airlines
Air Canada is a member of the Star Alliance Network, which includes 26 member airlines, including United and Lufthansa. This means that travelers from partner airlines operating Air Canada flights may be affected.
“We have issued a travel waiver to ensure we have the flexibility to work with our customers to reach our destination and manage our travel plans.” United Airlines said in a statement.
Airport and agency response
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey said it “will help support travelers and minimize disruption.”
“Airport staff are on the scene to assist passengers. We are working closely with Air Canada and terminal partners to ensure that the necessary resources are in place,” the agency said in a statement before the strike.
The Port Authority recommended that travelers check their flight status directly with Air Canada before heading to the airport, allowing extra time for their trip.
The U.S. Department of Transport did not issue an official statement regarding Air Canada’s suspended operations and immediately returned a request for comment.
