Air Canada says all mainline and Rouge operations remain suspended until some time on Sunday afternoon, 17AUG, 2025.
The airline put out a statement around 8:10 pm on 16AUG saying all Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge flights “remain suspended pending the outcome of a Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) process related to a directive by the Government of Canada ordering binding arbitration in the company’s contract negotiations with its flight attendants
“At present, all flights by Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge are cancelled until the afternoon (EDT) of August 17, 2025. Air Canada Express flights operated by Jazz or PAL continue to operate as normal,” officials said.
Federal Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu on 16AUG announced the Carney government was sending the dispute between the airline and its flight attendants’ union to binding arbitration. She also ordered attendants back to work.
But that doesn’t mean Air Canada can flick a switch and get planes running again right away.
The Air Canada component of the Canadian Union of Public Employees insists the strike it called at 12:58 am on 16AUG remains in effect.
“For right now, you are on strike, until your Union communicates otherwise,” CUPE said in a statement posted on its website on 16AUG. “The only exception to this is if you are operating back to Home Base.”
Regardless of the union’s position, Air Canada does not appear ready to bring any of its fleet back into service for at least another 12 to 16 hours. Which means more headaches for the travelling public and for travel advisors dealing with anxious, weary clients.
Customers whose flights are cancelled are being notified and offered options that include a full refund, a future travel credit or rebooking on another airline. Those whose flights are cancelled are strongly advised not to go to the airport unless they have a confirmed booking on a flight by another carrier.
In response to a labour disruption by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) that led to a strike on 16AUG, Air Canada has been cancelling flights on a rolling basis.
Air Canada stated it deeply regrets the disruption’s impact on customers. Additional customer information, including an FAQ, is available www.aircanada.com/action,
