BURST
Travellers flying through Vancouver International Airport and other airports across the country on Air Canada should prepare for flight cancellations and delays this week.
On Wednesday morning, Air Canada said it plans to begin suspending Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge flights over the next 72 hours.
Air Canada Express flights are not affected.
In a statement, Vancouver International Airport said it is aware that both 72-hour strike notice and 72-hour lockout notice have been served as part of contract negotiations between Air Canada and CUPE representing Air Canada flight attendants across the country.
This means that Air Canada service could be disrupted as of 9:58 p.m. PT on Friday. However, Air Canada has said it will begin adjusting its flight schedule as of Thursday so passengers travelling on Air Canada are advised to check the status of their flight at www.aircanada.com
“Although we continue to urge both parties to reach an agreement at the table, YVR is preparing for potential travel impacts should a work stoppage take place. This includes increasing terminal staffing to best support affected passengers,” YVR said in the statement.
To address ongoing labour uncertainty following strike notice by CUPE, Air Canada’s flight attendant union, a lock out notice was issued to CUPE today, effective Aug. 16. We will begin implementing our contingency plan to gradually begin an orderly wind down of operations.
— Air Canada (@AirCanada) August 13, 2025
Air Canada says customers whose flights are cancelled will be notified and they will be eligible for a full refund.
The company also says it has made arrangements with other Canadian and foreign carriers to provide customers alternative travel options to the extent possible.
The union representing around 10,000 Air Canada flight attendants issued 72-hour strike notice on Wednesday. In response, the airline issued a lockout notice.
On Tuesday, Air Canada said it had reached an impasse with the union as the two sides remained far apart in contract talks.
The union has said its main sticking points revolve around what it calls flight attendants’ “poverty wages” and unpaid labour when planes aren’t in the air.
“Despite our best efforts, Air Canada refused to address our core issues,” the union said in a bargaining update post online.
With files from The Canadian Press