Chaos for 130,000 daily travellers as Air Canada postpones restart plans
Cabin crew union vows to resist government-imposed arbitration process
DUBAI – Air Canada’s fleet remains grounded after striking flight attendants refused to comply with a government-backed order to return to work.
The dispute, which has already disrupted travel for around 130,000 passengers each day, has forced the airline to cancel hundreds of flights at the peak of the summer holiday season.
The airline had initially planned to resume flights on Sunday evening after the Canada Industrial Relations Board instructed staff back to duty. But the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), representing 10,000 cabin crew, said its members would continue striking, describing the order as unconstitutional and unfair.
According to Air Canada, services will now only begin restarting on Monday evening, with the airline warning that full stabilisation of its schedule could take seven to ten days.
Air Canada strike
The government intervened less than 12 hours after the strike began on Saturday, when federal jobs minister Patty Hajdu ordered attendants back to work. She argued that the economy could not risk further disruption, noting the impact of recent US tariffs on Canada. The CIRB also extended the previous collective agreement until arbitration settles a new deal.
Air Canada has already cancelled nearly 500 flights since Sunday morning, on top of hundreds previously suspended, figures from aviation analytics provider Cirium showed. The airline, which normally operates 700 daily flights, said passengers whose journeys are disrupted could apply for refunds or rebooking through its website or mobile app.
Air Canada Suspends Plans to Restart Operations after CUPE Defies CIRB Directive to Return to Work: https://t.co/oCfI8tNKx9 pic.twitter.com/RVkeJFEDHe
— Air Canada (@AirCanada) August 17, 2025
Still, it warned that alternative seats on other airlines were limited due to peak demand.
How did the union respond?
CUPE has accused both the government and Air Canada of undermining workers’ rights. “Our members are not going back to work. We are saying no,” national president Mark Hancock told reporters outside Toronto’s Pearson International Airport, as quoted by the Associated Press. Hancock even tore up a copy of the back-to-work order in front of picketing flight attendants.
The union argues that attendants, who are currently only paid when planes are in motion, deserve compensation for ground duties such as boarding passengers. Air Canada’s latest offer included a 38% increase in total compensation over four years, which the airline said would make its crews the best paid in Canada. But CUPE rejected the proposal, saying the initial 8% raise was inadequate against inflation.
When will flights resume?
Air Canada has described the union’s defiance as “illegal” and says the dispute will now be decided through binding arbitration. However, it has acknowledged that many aircraft remain out of position, making a swift recovery unlikely.
Travellers across Canada expressed frustration and uncertainty. “We wanted to go see the Rockies, but we might not get there because of this,” said tourist Mel Durston from southern England, speaking to AP. Others reported paying thousands to book replacement flights with rival carriers.
My flight is on August 16, and I’ve spent the last four days digging into the APPR guidelines. I found this on Air Canada’s website: if they cancel your flight, they must rebook you within 48 hours. Do not accept a refund—let them rebook you instead. #AirCanada #strike #Canada pic.twitter.com/1QyaBdavIP
— Bhavraj singh Shergill (@ShergillBhavraj) August 15, 2025
With no clear breakthrough, the standoff is set to dominate Canada’s travel landscape well into next week.