Monday, September 9, 2024 Air Canada has announced that it is preparing for a potential orderly shutdown of its operations in response to ongoing labor negotiations with the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA). The talks, which have been in progress for over 15 months, have yet to reach an agreement, with the union’s wage demands standing as a significant sticking point. As a result, Air Canada and its subsidiary Air Canada Rouge may begin gradually suspending flights starting September 15, 2024.
Air Canada’s President and CEO, Michael Rousseau, stated that while the company remains hopeful for a resolution, it must prepare for the potential disruption. In the event of a strike or lockout notice from ALPA, the airline will implement a three-day wind-down of operations, potentially leading to a full shutdown by September 18, 2024. Goodwill Policy for Passengers To mitigate the impact on customers, Air Canada has activated its goodwill policy, allowing passengers with bookings between September 15 and September 23 to change or defer their travel plans at no additional cost.
The airline is advising travelers to use self-service tools and avoid going to the airport without confirmed bookings, as wait times at contact centers are expected to be high. Air Canada Express, operated by third-party carriers like Jazz and PAL Airlines, will continue running as usual. However, these regional flights only cover about 20% of Air Canada’s daily passengers, many of whom will still be af.