More than 100,000 passengers have been affected after Air Canada canceled 623 flights as cabin crew began a strike. The union representing over 10,000 flight attendants confirmed the 72-hour industrial action early Saturday morning, August 16. Air Canada announced it had suspended all flights, including those operated by its budget arm Air Canada Rouge, and urged customers not to travel to the airport unless flying with another airline. Flight attendants are demanding higher salaries and pay for time spent working on the ground. The airline said about 500 flights per day will be disrupted.

More than 100,000 passengers have been affected after Air Canada canceled 623 flights as cabin crew began a strike. The union representing over 10,000 flight attendants confirmed the 72-hour industrial action early Saturday morning, August 16. Air Canada announced it had suspended all flights, including those operated by its budget arm Air Canada Rouge, and urged customers not to travel to the airport unless flying with another airline. Flight attendants are demanding higher salaries and pay for time spent working on the ground. The airline said about 500 flights per day will be disrupted. Picket lines have been set up at major Canadian airports, where passengers were already scrambling to rebook earlier in the week. Air Canada, which serves 180 cities worldwide, said it had “suspended all operations” and was “strongly advising affected customers not to go to the airport.” However, flights operated by Air Canada Jazz, PAL Airlines, and Air Canada Express remain unaffected. “Air Canada deeply regrets the impact the strike is having on customers,” the company said. By Friday night, the airline had already canceled 623 flights affecting more than 100,000 passengers as part of winding down operations ahead of the strike. In negotiations, the airline offered attendants a 38% increase in total compensation over four years, including a 25% raise in the first year. The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) rejected the offer, calling it “below inflation, below market value, below minimum wage,” and criticized the company for not paying attendants during tasks such as boarding and pre-flight preparations. Both sides have publicly accused each other of unwillingness to reach a deal. Earlier this month, 99.7% of CUPE members voted in favor of strike action. Canadian Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu urged both parties to return to the bargaining table to avoid further disruptions and confirmed that Air Canada had asked her to refer the dispute to binding arbitration.

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