Air Canada says it will begin a phased suspension of flights starting Thursday to allow for an orderly shutdown ahead of a possible flight attendant strike set for Saturday.
The airline plans to cancel some flights Thursday, more on Friday, and completely halt operations for Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge by the weekend. Air Canada Express flights operated by Jazz and PAL Airlines will continue as scheduled.
Customers with cancelled flights will be contacted, offered full refunds, and, where possible, rebooked through arrangements Air Canada has made with other Canadian and international carriers.
The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), representing roughly 10,000 flight attendants, issued a 72-hour strike notice Wednesday. Air Canada responded with its own lockout notice.
“We regret the impact a disruption will have on our customers, our stakeholders and the communities we serve,” said CEO Michael Rousseau.
On Tuesday, the airline announced contract negotiations had reached an impasse, with the two sides still far apart.