40 Facts About the Air Canada Strike

The Air Canada strike, set to begin on September 18, 2024, has stirred significant concern among travelers and the aviation industry. Here are 40 key facts about the strike, its impact, and the measures being taken by Air Canada to mitigate disruptions.

Potential Strike Date and Notice

The strike's timeline and notice period are crucial for understanding its impact.

1. The strike is expected to start on September 18, 2024, at 12:01 AM if no agreement is reached between Air Canada and its pilots by midday on September 15, 2024.
2. Air Canada has warned that a 72-hour strike or lockout notice could be issued as early as Sunday, September 15, 2024, which would trigger a gradual shutdown of operations over three days.

Impact on Operations and Cancellations

Understanding how the strike will affect flights and operations is essential for travelers.

3. The airline has contingency plans to suspend all flying through an orderly wind-down of operations if a strike is called. Flights throughout the system would be progressively canceled over three days, with a complete shutdown as early as 12:01 AM EDT on September 18, 2024.
4. The first canceled flights are expected to be on September 16, 2024, with rolling cancellations starting 12 to 24 hours in advance of flight times.
5. Passengers can expect 12 to 24 hours' notice before a flight is canceled, with the maximum notice period being 72 hours. This rolling cancellation strategy aims to prevent unnecessary cancellations and only cancel flights within a 72-hour window.

Prioritization and International Flights

Some flights will be prioritized over others during the initial cancellations.

6. Inbound flights to Canadian airports will be prioritized during the initial cancellations. For example, a flight from Honolulu (HNL) to Vancouver (YVR) is less likely to be canceled compared to an outbound flight like Vancouver to Honolulu.
7. Both international and domestic flights could be affected. During the drawdown, it is believed that overseas flights will continue, and inbound international flights to Canada will be the last to be canceled. This is unconfirmed but the most likely scenario.

Impact on Cargo Operations

Cargo operations will also face disruptions due to the strike.

8. Cargo operations would also be affected by a shutdown at Air Canada. The airline has already begun limiting acceptance of some goods due to average shipment timelines and the potential risk of disruption.

Government and Business Organizations' Response

The strike has prompted calls for government intervention and business organizations' pleas.

9. Air Canada boss Michael Rousseau has called on the federal government to intervene if talks fail before any travel disruption starts. The airline is urging the government to be prepared to act if necessary to prevent a strike.
10. A group of business organizations, including the Canadian Association of Importers and Exporters, the Western Canadian Shippers’ Coalition, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, and the Retail Council of Canada, have urged the federal government to take action to avoid the strike. They argue that the potential for labor disruption is alarming and could significantly disrupt Canada’s supply chain.

Reason for Strike and Number of Pilots Involved

The labor dispute's roots and the number of pilots involved are key to understanding the strike.

11. The strike is due to an ongoing labor dispute between Air Canada and its pilots regarding wages and working conditions. The parties have been negotiating for over a year to reach an agreement.
12. More than 5,200 pilots at Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge are represented by the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) union, which is involved in the dispute.

Air Canada's Contingency Plans and Shutdown Complexity

Air Canada has detailed plans to manage the strike's impact on operations.

13. Air Canada has contingency plans in place to minimize costs and potentially put employees on layoff status pending a resolution of the strike or lockout.
14. Shutting down Air Canada’s operations is a complex process. Each flight scheduled to operate as of the strike date needs to be managed carefully to ensure that aircraft and crews are not stranded. Once an aircraft lands, the pilots will walk off, and the aircraft will need to be parked and maintained.

Parking Aircraft and Displacement of Crews

Managing aircraft and crew displacement during the strike is a logistical challenge.

15. Aircraft will need to be parked in non-traditional locations at hub airports, such as de-ice bays. Maintenance teams will need to put each aircraft into a state of active storage, which requires certain tasks like adding covers to protect aircraft systems.
16. Crews would be displaced all over the globe as many aircraft will need to be parked outside of crew bases. It will take several days to bring hundreds of crew members back on other airlines due to limited seats available.

Recovery Time and International Flight Delays

The recovery process after the strike will take time, especially for international flights.

17. Air Canada warns that it will take days to get back to normal operations. Many crews would still be in transit home while the airline is trying to start up. Crews need crew rest once back home, adding an additional 24 hours of unavailability.
18. For transatlantic and other international flights, the delay will be worse. Flights will have to operate to an international destination, wait for 24-28 hours, then operate back, resulting in high cancellation numbers for international flights.

Positioning Crews and Impact on Travelers

Positioning crews and the strike's impact on travelers are significant concerns.

19. Positioning crew in international destinations ahead of time will add three-to-five days to the ramp-up process. Once an international flight lands at a foreign destination, a new, rested crew already on site operates the flight home.
20. Air Canada flies 110,000 passengers per day. The airline aims to notify passengers of any impact to their flight itinerary in advance of travel. Travelers booked to travel from September 15 to 23 can change their booking for some time between September 24 and November 30 without incurring additional fees.

Refund Policy and Customer Support

Air Canada has policies in place to support affected passengers.

21. Passengers will receive refunds for canceled flights, but customers won’t be entitled to any additional compensation. Under Canada’s Airline Passenger Protection Regulations, labor disruptions are considered out of an airline’s control and not eligible for compensation requests.
22. Air Canada is advising passengers to check their booking status regularly for updates. The airline is also offering assistance to passengers who need to rebook their flights due to cancellations.

Scams Alert and Historical Context

Passengers should be aware of potential scams and the historical context of strikes.

23. There have been reports of scams targeting passengers during the strike. Passengers are advised not to give out their personal details or booking numbers to unknown individuals. If in doubt, contact Air Canada’s official customer service channels.
24. Historical strikes, such as the one in 1998, have lasted for several weeks. The duration of the current strike is uncertain but is expected to last a few days to potentially longer depending on negotiations.

Public Awareness and Air Canada's Market Share

Public awareness and Air Canada's market share highlight the strike's broader impact.

25. The strike has been a year in the making, with labor unrest in the transportation industry escalating. The threat of a strike has already led to passengers scrambling to rebook flights, demonstrating the significant impact on travel plans.
26. Air Canada is the largest carrier in Canada, making up about 40 to 45% of the country’s airline capacity. The airline’s shutdown would significantly disrupt air travel in Canada.

Competitor Comparison and Expert Insights

Comparisons with competitors and expert insights provide additional context.

27. The potential strike at Air Canada follows a similar situation with WestJet earlier this year. WestJet canceled flights several days before the actual strike deadline to avoid stranding aircraft and crews, highlighting the complexity of managing such disruptions.
28. John Grck, an aviation industry expert and faculty lecturer at McGill University, has emphasized the complexity of shutting down Air Canada’s operations. He noted that each flight needs to be managed carefully to avoid stranding aircraft and crews.

Government Intervention Options and Supply Chain Disruption

Possible government interventions and supply chain disruptions are critical factors.

29. The federal government could intervene by referring the matter to binding arbitration. This would involve a neutral arbitrator resolving any outstanding issues between Air Canada and its pilots, potentially averting a strike.
30. The strike could significantly disrupt Canada’s supply chain, affecting not only air travel but also cargo operations. Business organizations have urged the government to take decisive action to prevent this disruption.

Public Response and Strike Duration Uncertainty

Public response and the uncertainty of the strike's duration are important considerations.

31. The public is advised to stay informed through official channels. Air Canada is committed to providing updates on flight cancellations and rebooking options. Passengers are encouraged to check their booking status regularly for the latest information.
32. The duration of the strike is uncertain and could vary depending on negotiations between Air Canada and its pilots. Historical strikes have lasted several weeks, but the current situation is expected to be shorter.

Impact on Economy and Airline’s Response

The strike's economic impact and Air Canada's response are significant.

33. The strike could have a significant impact on the economy, particularly in the tourism and travel sectors. The disruption could lead to lost revenue and economic instability if not managed properly.
34. Air Canada is taking proactive measures to minimize disruptions. The airline is allowing passengers with travel scheduled between September 15 and 23 to make changes to their bookings at no cost. Passengers can also opt to cancel their flights and receive a credit for future travel instead.

Refund Policy Clarification and Customer Assistance

Clarifying the refund policy and providing customer assistance are key for passenger satisfaction.

35. Under Canada’s Airline Passenger Protection Regulations, passengers will receive refunds for canceled flights, but they are not entitled to any additional compensation. Labor disruptions are considered out of an airline’s control and not eligible for compensation requests.
36. Air Canada is providing assistance to passengers who need to rebook their flights due to cancellations. The airline is advising passengers to check their booking status regularly for updates and to contact customer service if they have any questions or concerns.

Scams Alert and Historical Strikes

Awareness of scams and historical strikes provides context for the current situation.

37. There have been reports of scams targeting passengers during the strike. Passengers are advised not to give out their personal details or booking numbers to unknown individuals. If in doubt, contact Air Canada’s official customer service channels.
38. Historical strikes, such as the one in 1998, have lasted for several weeks. The duration of the current strike is uncertain but is expected to last a few days to potentially longer depending on negotiations.

Public Awareness Campaign and Government’s Role

Public awareness campaigns and the government's role are crucial for managing the strike.

39. The airline is running a public awareness campaign to inform passengers about the strike and the measures being taken to mitigate disruptions. Passengers are encouraged to stay informed through official channels and to check their booking status regularly for updates.
40. The federal government has been urged to take decisive action to prevent the strike. Business organizations have called on the government to prioritize Canadians and be prepared to act in advance to prevent another damaging disruption by referring the matter to binding arbitration.

What You Need to Know

The Air Canada strike, set to begin on September 18, 2024, could cause major disruptions for travelers and the aviation industry. With over 5,200 pilots involved, the strike stems from disputes over wages and working conditions. Air Canada has plans to minimize disruptions, including a gradual shutdown of operations and prioritizing inbound flights. Passengers should expect rolling cancellations and stay updated on their flight status. Refunds will be provided for canceled flights, but additional compensation isn't guaranteed. The federal government may intervene to prevent the strike, which could significantly impact Canada's supply chain and economy. Travelers booked between September 15 and 23 can change their bookings without fees. Stay informed through official channels to navigate this challenging period.