Air Canada Strike Averted: Tentative Deal Reached

The Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) released a statement early this morning confirming that it had reached a tentative deal with Air Canada — narrowly avoiding mass flight cancellations.

ALPA represents more than 5,200 Air Canada pilots, who had voted to strike after negotiations with the airline stalled. A work stoppage was expected as early as Set. 18, when the cooling off period ended, and Air Canada was preparing to wind down operations starting today (Sept. 15), cancelling flights.

The tentative deal is a four-year collective agreement with ALPA. Terms will remain confidential pending a ratification vote by membership, as well as approval by the Air Canada Board of Directors. This process is expected to take a month, the airline said in a release.

“While it has been an exceptionally long road to this agreement, the consistent engagement and unified determination of our pilots have been the catalyst for achieving this contract,” said First Officer Charlene Hudy, chair of the Air Canada ALPA MEC. “After several consecutive weeks of intense round-the-clock negotiations, progress was made on several key issues including compensation, retirement, and work rules. This agreement, if ratified by the pilot group, would officially put an end to our outdated and stale decade-old, ten-year framework.”

Air Canada previously rolled out a goodwill policy allowing customers to change flights scheduled from Sept.15 and 23, 2024, to another date before November 30, 2024. Guests who took advantage of this can change their booking back to their original flight in the same cabin at no cost, providing there is space available.