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Tentative agreement reached after 11-month dispute
Air Transat and its pilots' union announced a last-minute deal on Tuesday, preventing a strike that would have grounded flights starting Wednesday.
Union claims breakthrough on key demands
The Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), representing over 750 Air Transat pilots, said the proposed contract addresses long-standing concerns about pay, job security, and scheduling. Union chair Captain Bradley Small credited pilot solidarity for forcing management to negotiate seriously after nearly a year of deadlock.
Pilots had voted 99% in favor of strike action on Sunday, prompting the airline to begin canceling flights in preparation. The union argued its existing contract fell far below industry norms.
Operations resume as ratification vote looms
Air Transat confirmed flights would return to normal immediately, apologizing to passengers affected by recent disruptions. The tentative agreement must now be ratified by union members in the coming days.
"Our priority is to restore full service and ensure reliable travel for our customers," the airline stated.
Second major Canadian airline labor dispute this year
This marks the second high-profile labor standoff in Canada's aviation sector in 2025. In August, Air Canada flight attendants staged a strike that led to widespread cancellations before a government mediator brokered a deal with CUPE.
What happens next
ALPA will present the proposed contract to its members for a vote. If approved, the deal would end months of uncertainty for pilots and travelers alike.
