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Air Transat announces gradual flight suspensions
Canada's Air Transat will begin canceling select flights on Monday as a precautionary measure before a potential pilot strike set to start Wednesday, the airline confirmed.
Strike notice issued after negotiations stall
The Air Line Pilots Association, representing 750 Air Transat pilots, delivered a 72-hour strike notice on Sunday, warning that pilots would stop reporting for duty if no contract agreement is reached by Wednesday. The union called the move a last resort after nearly a year of unsuccessful bargaining.
"No pilot wants to strike, but Air Transat management has left us no choice. Months of unproductive bargaining ends now. If we cannot reach an agreement, management will be responsible for every cancelled flight and stranded passenger."
Capt. Bradley Small, Air Line Pilots Association
Dispute centers on pay, benefits, and job security
The union seeks to replace the pilots' 2015 contract with updated terms, including industry-standard compensation, improved benefits, revised work rules, and stronger job protections. A union vote last week showed 99% support for authorizing a strike.
Airlines calls strike notice "premature"
Air Transat, one of Canada's three largest carriers, criticized the strike notice as untimely, citing recent progress in negotiations. The airline plans to suspend all flights by Tuesday to avoid leaving crews, passengers, or aircraft stranded overseas if the strike proceeds.
"This strike notice is premature given the progress made at the bargaining table and the generous offers made by Air Transat. The union's reckless decision shows indifference toward Transat and does not reflect the state of negotiations."
Julie Lamontagne, Human Resources Officer, Air Transat
Past labor disputes narrowly avoided
In 2024, Air Transat's flight dispatchers voted overwhelmingly to strike amid stalled contract talks, but the action was averted after last-minute negotiations. The current dispute marks the first major labor conflict involving the airline's pilots in nearly a decade.
What's next
Both sides have until Wednesday to reach a deal. If no agreement is finalized, the strike will begin at 00:01 local time, grounding Air Transat's fleet and disrupting travel plans for thousands of passengers.
