Is Air Canada on strike? Flight cancellation news as Jazz Aviation, PAL airlines unaffected
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After talks with the higher-ups failed to produce any favourable outcome, Air Canada flight attendants have officially started their strike. The decision was reportedly officially declared by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) on Saturday morning, local media reports said. As a consequence, all Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge flights have been reportedly suspended. However, the regional Air Canada Express flights operated by Jazz Aviation and PAL Airlines are not impacted.
"We are now officially on strike! Picket lines will be active at all bases. Please report to your designated picket location and shift time. For updates and information, visit www.accstrikehq.ca.," CUPE said on Facebook.
Air Canada confirmed that as many as 294 flights were cancelled as of 12 p.m. ET Friday due to the strike, and it will be forced to cancel around 500 flights leading up to the strike deadline in anticipation of the work stoppage, local media reports said. The airline also warned its customers against going to airports without a confirmed new booking. The flyers will be alerted via email or messages if their flight is affected by the strike, Air Canada added.
What Air Canada said about the strike?
"Air Canada has been forced into this decision to lock out its flight attendants and regrets the impact the suspension of operations will have on customers as a result of the union’s issuance of a strike notice during such a heavy travel period," News.co,.au quoted the company as saying in a statement.
"However, as events at other airlines in recent years have shown, sudden or unmanaged work stoppages produce a significantly worse disruption to travel than a planned suspension of flying... A controlled wind down allows Air Canada to advise customers in advance, reduces the chance of customers being stranded, provides the airline and customers the time and opportunity to make alternative travel arrangements and gives customers more certainty.”
World