Air Canada Prepares Full Shutdown as Flight Attendants Threaten Strike

Air Canada says it will begin winding down operations ahead of a potential strike by its flight attendants this weekend — a move that could ground the country’s largest airline.

The airline announced Wednesday it will start cancelling flights on Thursday, cut more on Friday, and halt all operations — including budget arm Air Canada Rouge — by Saturday.

The union representing about 10,000 flight attendants delivered a 72-hour strike notice on Wednesday. Air Canada quickly fired back with a lockout notice of its own.

Passengers whose flights are cancelled will be contacted directly and offered full refunds. Air Canada also said it’s working with other Canadian and international carriers to rebook customers “to the extent possible.”

“We regret the impact a disruption will have on our customers, our stakeholders and the communities we serve,” CEO Michael Rousseau said.

Talks between the airline and the union broke down earlier this week. The attendants’ union says their fight centers on “poverty wages” and unpaid hours when planes are not airborne.

“Despite our best efforts, Air Canada refused to address our core issues,” the union said in an update.

Air Canada had proposed binding arbitration to settle the dispute, but the union rejected it, insisting on direct negotiations followed by a member vote.

If no agreement is reached by Saturday, Canada’s skies could see their biggest disruption in years.