News / Air Canada strike ends – but 'a week or more' until normal service is resumed

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Air Canada’s unionised flight attendants have ended a strike that grounded the airline’s fleet and some 75% of cargo volumes moving by bellyhold.

Announcing that agreement had been reached with the country’s flag-carrier, the Canadian Union of Public Employees said on Facebook: “The strike has ended. We have a tentative agreement.”

Following the breakthrough, Air Canada said it would gradually restart operations today, but warned it could take up to 10 days to return to normal service levels.

“Restarting a major carrier like Air Canada is a complex undertaking. Full restoration may require a week or more, so we ask for our customers’ patience and understanding over the coming days,” said chief executive Michael Rousseau.

Operations had been suspended since Saturday, leading to the cancellation of some 700 flights over the weekend.

Deeming the strike unlawful, the Canadian Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) had directed Air Canada to resume operations and its flight attendants to resume their duties, but CUPE had directed its members to defy the ‘return to work’ order.

The impact on cargo remains unknown, but is likely to be particularly pronounced, the division modifying operations in an effort to shield some 25% of volumes.

There has been no update from the cargo division since the news of that modification, which included the operation of “a temporary freighter schedule”, including capacity to Europe, enabling connections of cargo to key destinations.

“We have also added a comprehensive trucking network between freighter destinations and our key hubs,” added the carrier.