Air Canada Restarts Flights After Government Directive Ends Historic Flight Attendant Strike

Air Canada will resume flights Sunday after a government directive ended a disruptive flight attendant strike involving over 10,000 workers. The Canadian Industrial Relations Board instructed the airline and Rouge unit to return to normal operations by 2 p.m. ET, restoring travel arrangements for over 100,000 stranded travelers.

The stoppage, the first since 1985, was caused by an extended bargaining of Air Canada's union contract with the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE). Pay for ground time and boarding support were two key issues of contention, with flight attendants now compensated only when the aircraft is airborne.

Federal Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu intervened, threatening economic trouble and travel headaches during peak season. Her directive demanded binding arbitration that would compel the two parties to come to an agreement and return flight attendants to work.

Air Canada had already offered a 38% pay raise over four years, with a 25% increase in the first year. But CUPE deemed the offer insufficient, demanding fair compensation for all working hours.

The airline estimates it will take four to five days to fully resume its flight schedule. Passengers are asked to watch out for updates as services gradually normalize.