Air Canada Cancels Flights Ahead of Possible Pilot Strike

• Air Canada has canceled flights due to a potential pilot strike.
• The union demands an increase in salaries and a resolution to the issue of unpaid work.
• Cancellations could affect up to 130,000 passengers daily.

Toronto — Air Canada began canceling flights on Thursday, September 14, 2025, in anticipation of a possible pilot strike. This could impact hundreds of thousands of travelers. Daily, the airline transports approximately 130,000 passengers, and the cancellations could affect many of them.

The union, which represents nearly 10,000 pilots, announced a 72-hour strike notice in the middle of which Air Canada responded with an announcement about the lockout. General Operations Director Mark Nasr stated that eventually all flights of Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge will be suspended, with a complete suspension planned for early Saturday morning.

Nasr indicated that the first wave of cancellations could involve dozens of flights that were supposed to depart on Thursday evening, and as of Friday evening, cancellations of 500 flights are expected. Following the complete suspension of the airline, according to his words, the resumption of operations could take a week.

In the event of flight cancellations, passengers may receive a full refund or be rerouted to alternative travel options with other airlines. The union asserts that the main issues relate to low pilot salaries and unpaid work during the downtime of the aircraft on the ground.

A representative of Air Canada reported that the company is ready to continue negotiations, but has not been able to reach an agreement with the union despite eight months of negotiations. In the absence of an agreement, the company plans to appeal to the government for assistance.

Tags: Aviation