Ottawa: With only hours remaining before a planned strike by flight attendants, Air Canada has announced the cancellation of some flights scheduled to depart today. The union representing approximately 10,000 Air Canada flight attendants is preparing to strike before 1 a.m. on Saturday. Air Canada has stated that it will begin canceling flights on Thursday in anticipation of the strike, with further disruptions expected on Friday.
The airline also reported that if a last-minute agreement is not reached with the flight attendants’ union, all flight services will be completely suspended on Saturday. Air Canada has informed passengers whose flights are canceled that they will be entitled to a full refund, and arrangements have been made with other Canadian and foreign airlines to provide alternative travel options.
Meanwhile, Air Canada had appealed to the federal government to intervene in the dispute and enforce arbitration. The federal Minister of Labour, Patty Hajdu, accepted Air Canada’s request and instructed the union to begin contract negotiations.
