- Air Canada delays flight resumption after CUPE flight attendants defied a Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) order to return to work, continuing an illegal strike
- Approximately 240 flights cancelled on Sunday, adding to the 500,000 customers already affected since operations were suspended on August 16
- Air Canada suspends financial guidance for Q3 and full-year 2025 due to the ongoing disruption, while offering refunds, credits, and limited rebooking options to affected passengers
- Air Canada stock (TSX:AC) opened trading at C$19.03
Air Canada (TSX:AC) has suspended its plan to resume limited operations by Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge, following what it described as an illegal directive by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) instructing flight attendants to defy a return-to-work order issued by the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB).
This content has been prepared as part of a partnership with Air Canada and is intended for informational purposes only.
The airline had intended to restart flights on Monday after all operations were grounded on August 16 due to a strike by CUPE, which represents approximately 10,000 flight attendants. However, the CIRB ruled on August 17 that the strike was unlawful and ordered CUPE leadership to instruct its members to immediately resume duties. Despite this directive, CUPE allegedly continued to encourage defiance, prompting Air Canada to delay its restart until tomorrow evening.
As a result, approximately 240 flights scheduled for Sunday afternoon have been cancelled. Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge typically operate around 700 flights daily. The airline estimates that nearly 500,000 customers have been affected by cancellations since the strike began.
Air Canada Express flights operated by Jazz and PAL continue to operate normally.
In a statement, Air Canada expressed regret over the disruption and is offering affected customers full refunds, travel credits, or rebooking options on other carriers, though availability is limited due to the peak summer travel season. Customers are advised not to go to the airport unless they have confirmed bookings with other airlines.
The CIRB’s ruling included a clear mandate for CUPE and its members:
- CUPE and its officers must immediately cease all activities related to the unlawful strike and direct members to return to work.
- Individual union members are ordered to resume duties and refrain from further strike actions.
- CUPE must publicly revoke its strike authorization and notify members by 12:00 p.m. EDT today.
Air Canada has also suspended its financial guidance for Q3 and full-year 2025, citing the significant operational and economic impact of the labour disruption.
Air Canada is Canada’s largest airline with a presence in more than 180 airports in Canada, the United States and internationally across six continents.
Air Canada stock (TSX:AC) opened trading 3.74 per cent lower at C$19.03. Last week, its stock rose more than 3 per cent and it has flown 21.90 per cent higher since this time last year.
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