Explained: Why Air Canada could shut down as flight attendants strike

Toronto: Air Canada is bracing for a potential shutdown of its operations as thousands of flight attendants gear up for a strike, threatening to ground flights and disrupt travel plans for thousands of passengers across North America and beyond.

The airline, Canada’s largest carrier, has warned that if the strike proceeds as scheduled, most of its domestic and international network could be paralysed. The looming disruption comes at the peak of the summer travel season, when demand for flights is soaring.

The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), which represents more than 9,500 flight attendants, announced its strike action after negotiations over wages, work conditions, and scheduling flexibility broke down late Friday night. The union has accused Air Canada of failing to address "longstanding issues of fatigue, fair pay, and respect for frontline staff."

Air Canada, in a statement, said it remains committed to reaching a deal but acknowledged that contingency measures would not be enough to prevent major service interruptions if the strike goes ahead. "We deeply regret the uncertainty this creates for our customers and employees," the airline said.

The federal government is monitoring the situation closely. Industry observers say Ottawa could be pressured to intervene given the potential economic fallout of a nationwide airline shutdown.

Passengers have begun scrambling to rebook flights with other carriers, with some airports already reporting an uptick in cancellations and delays. Travel experts warn that the impact could spill over to international routes, leaving global air travel networks strained.

With less than 48 hours before the strike deadline, the spotlight is on last-minute talks between the airline and the union. Whether an agreement is reached or not, analysts say the dispute underscores the mounting labor tensions in the aviation industry as workers push back against what they call “pandemic-era sacrifices” that remain unaddressed.