N.L. tourists, government scrambling as Air Canada strike looms

CBC

3 days ago

Air Canada says about 130,000 customers per day would be affected by a pending strike that could start as soon as Saturday. That includes many people visiting Newfoundland and Labrador.
The company's website says it plans on cancelling flights ahead of time, starting Thursday.
If a strike happens, it would see more than 10,000 flight attendants walk off the job.
The situation was top of mind for tourists in downtown St. John's on Wednesday.
Alanna Wolf, visiting from Toronto, said she already made alternate arrangements.
"[Our flight home] was supposed to be on Saturday, but yesterday we booked it for Thursday because we were afraid of the strike," she said. "And sure enough, a strike happens."
WATCH | We asked these Air Canada passengers about the potential strike. For some, it was the first they'd heard of it:
Looming Air Canada strike could send these travellers' vacation plans off course
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The streets of St. John's are teeming with travellers, many of whom arrived via Air Canada. But when CBC reporter Maddie Ryan asked folks how a looming Air Canada strike could affect them, she wound up breaking the news to more than one Air Canada passenger.
Wolf was one of the Air Canada passengers able to change their flights for free because they may have been affected by a number of wildfires raging across the province. She said she saw the news of the strike notice and was able to act fast thanks to that option.
Customers who purchased tickets with Air Canada before Aug. 13 can also change their flights for free if they're booked to travel between Aug. 15-18. Refunds will also be available.
"If your flight is cancelled, we will do our very best to rebook you on the first available flight, exploring options with over 120 international and domestic carriers," said a notice on the airline's website.
Other tourists in St. John's weren't surprised that Air Canada might leave them stranded there.
"I guess we're just waiting for it to get cancelled," said Tamiko Potts, who is due back in Toronto soon.
She said she's looking at return flights with different airlines.
"I didn't really want to fly with Air Canada to begin with," Potts said. "They actually lost my baggage on the first day of this trip, so it's a good way to end it, isn't it?"
Canada Games has contingency plan
Meanwhile, the Canada Games drew thousands of people to the province, but the council isn't worried.
Teams from Ontario and Quebec were the only ones who had booked with Air Canada.
Canada Games Council president and CEO Kelly-Ann Pauls told CBC News that a contingency plan has been activated.
"We have made new plans for the two teams to travel through different carriers, and we are assessing the ability to change the major technical officials' flights who are with the affected flights with Air Canada," she said.
Pauls made it clear that the Games Council isn't responsible for arranging flights on the behalf of spectators.
"My heart goes out to any of the friends or family that wanted to come and support their young athletes at the Canada Games," she said. "My hope would be that they would be able to make alternate arrangements to still be able to come to this once in a lifetime opportunity for their children."
N.L. government concerned
The Newfoundland and Labrador government and Hospitality N.L. released a joint statement Wednesday afternoon expressing concern over the potential strike.
The statement said a strike "could be catastrophic for our tourism industry during this summer season."
It also said the province's small business and tourism operators cannot sustain any reductions in service.
"While we absolutely respect the collective bargaining process, we cannot sit by and see this potential strike bring further economic hardship to our people and industry," the release said.