Air Canada Grounds Flights as Flight Attendant Strike Disrupts Summer Travel
Air Canada halts all mainline and Rouge operations due to a strike by 10000 flight attendants affecting over 130000 travelers The Canadian government orders binding arbitration to end the walkout .
Flight Halted Across Mainline and Rouge Services
On August 16 2025 Air Canada announced the suspension of all operations for its mainline and Air Canada Rouge flights in response to a strike launched by approximately 10000 flight attendants represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees CUPE Regional flights under Air Canada Express operated by third party carriers like Jazz Aviation and PAL Airlines remain unaffected .
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Affected Passengers and Cancelled Flights
This sweeping shutdown has led to the cancellation of more than 620–700 flights per day leaving over 130000 passengers stranded globally each day of the strike .
In addition an estimated 25000 Canadians abroad may be affected daily by return flight delays
Breakdown of Negotiations
The strike stems from failed contract negotiations between Air Canada and CUPE particularly over compensation for unpaid groundwork tasks like boarding and deplaning that traditionally go uncompensated CUPE claims attendants perform about 35 hours of such unpaid work monthly and argue that their effective pay may fall below minimum wage .
In response Air Canada offered a 38 percent increase in total compensation over four years including a 25 percent raise in the first year claiming it would make attendants among the best paid in Canada The union dismissed the offer as below inflation below market value and below minimum wage .
Government Intervention and Arbitration
Facing mounting public and economic disruption amid the peak travel season the Canadian government intervened on August 16 ordering binding arbitration by invoking the Canada Industrial Relations Board CIRB This action forces flight attendants back to work while negotiations continue .
The process may take 24 to 48 hours to enact with full restoration of service potentially requiring up to a week .
CUPE leaders have strongly opposed this move viewing it as a violation of their constitutional right to strike .
Customer Guidance and Airline Support
Air Canada has asked passengers not to travel to airports unless they are rebooked on another carrier Affected passengers with bookings between August 15–19 can modify flights for free and those with non refundable fares can cancel for future credit .
Customers are also being offered refunds or rebookings where possible though availability remains limited due to high demand during summer .
Summary
- What happened Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge grounded all flights due to CUPE flight attendant strike .
- Why Dispute over compensation for unpaid groundwork and inadequate wage offers .
- Impact Over 130000 passengers affected daily hundreds of flights canceled .
- Government action Binding arbitration imposed likely resuming normal operations within days .
- What to do if impacted Do not go to airports unless rebooked utilize free changes or credits .