On August 16, 2025, Air Canada plunged into chaos as its entire fleet was grounded following the initiation of a strike by cabin crew members. This strike is anticipated to have a significant impact on the travel plans of approximately 130,000 passengers daily, forcing the airline to halt all flights, including those operated by its budget subsidiary, Air Canada Rouge.
The disruption was confirmed early Saturday morning by the union representing upwards of 10,000 flight attendants, who initiated a 72-hour industrial action. In light of this, Air Canada strongly advised travelers not to head to airports unless they were flying with alternate airlines, indicating the severity of the situation.
As the days progressed, Air Canada confirmed that prior to the strike, they began scaling down operations, leading to cancellations of around 623 flights by Friday night that affected over 100,000 passengers. By the time the strike officially commenced at 00:58 Eastern Time (04:58 GMT), it was reported that about 500 flights would be affected daily. Flight attendants began picketing at major Canadian airports, adding to the already mounting stress for passengers attempting to secure new travel arrangements amidst the upheaval.
A focal point of the ongoing negotiations is the demand by the flight attendants for higher wages and compensation for work conducted while aircraft are on the ground. In response, Air Canada had proposed a salary increase of 38% over four years, with an initial 25% rise in the first year. However, the union, represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), rejected this offer, arguing that it falls short of inflation rates, market standards, and even minimum wage requirements. They contend that the compensation still would not cover several crucial hours of work entailed in boarding and waiting processes.
The union and the airline have exchanged pointed comments regarding their respective commitment to reaching a satisfactory agreement. Notably, earlier in the month, an overwhelming 99.7% of unionized employees voted in favor of the strike. The escalating tensions prompted the Canadian jobs minister, Patty Hajdu, to call upon both parties to reengage in negotiations to avert the strike. Her involvement reflects government interest in the matter, especially after Air Canada sought to refer the dispute to binding arbitration, a request CUPE labeled as a move to undermine their negotiating rights.
In a statement, CUPE emphasized having engaged in good faith negotiation efforts for over eight months. However, they accused Air Canada of strategically avoiding meaningful engagement, instead opting to invoke governmental involvement to dictate terms of the labor dispute. The union asserted, “When we stood strong together, Air Canada didn’t come to the table in good faith,” which highlights the core frustrations leading to the current impasse.
Air Canada’s official communications expressed regret regarding the strike’s disruptive impact on customers and conveyed a clear message that customers should avoid travelling to the airport unless absolutely necessary. Flights operated by Air Canada Jazz, PAL Airlines, and Air Canada Express remained untouched by the strike, yet the airline faced immense pressure as it struggled to adapt to a rapidly evolving situation.
Overall, the strike represents not just a logistical nightmare for Air Canada but also a pivotal moment in the relationship between the airline and its staff. With a substantial number of employees publicly declaring their support for the strike action, the airline now faces the dual challenge of mitigating immediate operational challenges while addressing deeper issues surrounding employee compensation and working conditions. As the situation unfolds, it remains unclear how long the strike will last and what long-term consequences it will hold for Air Canada’s operations and its workforce.
