Winnipeg 
Air Canada has issued a 72-hour lockout notice to the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), which represents 10,000 flight attendants, after the union announced plans to strike as early as August 16.
CNW Group/Air Canada
Per the news release, the airline will begin cancelling flights on August 14, with a complete suspension of mainline and Rouge operations by August 16 if no resolution is reached.
Regional partner flights under Air Canada Express, operated by Jazz and PAL Airlines, will continue, but they account for only about 20% of daily passengers. This leaves up to 130,000 travellers a day, including 25,000 Canadians returning from abroad, potentially affected.
The dispute follows eight months of negotiations. Air Canada says it offered a 38% total compensation increase over four years, with pension, benefit, and rest improvements, and no requested concessions. CUPE rejected the proposal and a binding arbitration offer. The airline is now seeking government-directed arbitration to avoid prolonged disruption.
While Air Canada frames the lockout as a way to avoid chaotic, unplanned disruptions, the outcome now hinges on whether federal arbitration is imposed before the 72-hour clock runs out.
What to Know About the Lockout
For passengers, the shutdown means flights may be cancelled at short notice. Those affected will receive full refunds and, where possible, be rebooked with other carriers. However, with peak summer demand, spare seats will be scarce. The airline is urging customers not to head to airports without confirmed, operating flights, and to check status updates online or via the mobile app.
Who’s affected:
- Mainline and Rouge flights—most domestic and international routes.
- Not affected: Air Canada Express flights (Jazz, PAL Airlines).
Key dates:
- Aug 14: Initial cancellations.
- Aug 15: Expanded cancellations.
- Aug 16: Complete halt of affected flights.
What to Do:
- Check before travelling – Only go to the airport with a confirmed booking on an operating flight.
- Verify status on aircanada.com or the mobile app.
- Cancelled flight? You’ll be notified and can claim a full refund online.
- Air Canada has agreements with other Canadian and foreign carriers, but peak summer demand means available seats will be scarce.
- Contact centre wait times will be high—manage bookings, refunds, or changes online.
- All customers can change or defer travel at no extra cost during this disruption period.
- Air Canada will inform passengers of their entitlements under applicable rules for cancellations or delays.
