Halifax hikers get crash course in assisting blind and partially sighted hikers
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CBC
10 minutes ago
- CBC
'Why have they let it get to this point?': Air Canada customers deal with uncertainty of possible disruptions
Social Sharing Air Canada customers are trying to remain hopeful that a possible strike involving flight attendants won't disrupt their upcoming travel plans, but they're also steeling themselves for the possibility that could happen. That's the case for Toronto's James Catt, who's supposed to be flying to Los Angeles on Saturday, with his wife and son, as part of a special trip to celebrate his 15th wedding anniversary. The family's planned itinerary includes seeing a baseball game at Dodger Stadium and sitting in top-notch seats near first base. "The ball tickets were pretty expensive, they were about $1,000 US," Catt told CBC News Network midday Thursday. At this point, Catt has not been told the family's Saturday flight is a no-go. But with so much uncertainty, Catt says they have cancelled their hotel booking and are now weighing whether to drop their tickets, too. "We could try to cut our losses by selling the tickets on StubHub ... but the longer we wait, the less likely that is to work out," said Catt. "At the same time, we don't want to sell the tickets now and then find out that they make a deal at the last minute." Air Canada has already begun cancelling some flights ahead of a potential strike involving thousands of flight attendants that could begin on Saturday. Mark Nasr, the company's chief operations officer, said Thursday that cancellations would go from "several dozens" occurring on Thursday, growing to some 500 by the end of Friday, to a state of being "completely grounded" as of the start of a potential strike on Saturday — affecting roughly 130,000 customers daily — should a resolution not be reached. WATCH | Air Canada's plan if a deal is not reached: Air Canada exec lays out flight cancellation plans as strike looms 6 hours ago At a news conference, Air Canada's chief operations officer Mark Nasr detailed the airline's plans for gradual flight suspensions ahead of a potential strike by flight attendants Saturday morning. Several dozen cancellations are expected by the end of Thursday and about 500 by the end of Friday, he said. Air Canada proposed entering binding interest arbitration, but the union representing the flight attendants rejected that. The company has since asked the federal government to send the two parties to arbitration if an agreement can't be reached. 'Hoping for some kind of miracle' Anne Vivian-Scott of Kingston, Ont., is frustrated that the prospect of a labour disruption got so close before the airline alerted customers about potential issues. "Why have they let it get to this point?" asked Vivian-Scott, who identified her family as longtime loyal Air Canada customers. Her two adult children, who live on opposite sides of the Pacific Ocean, are supposed to fly to eastern Ontario to attend their cousin's wedding in Ottawa over the Labour Day weekend. It may be easier for her daughter, who lives on the West Coast, to seek an alternate flight home, via another carrier, if a labour disruption occurs. But her son, who lives in Japan, will have fewer options to choose from. "This was going to be his once-a-year trip home," said Vivian-Scott. She also noted that Kingston is a place some students will be flying back to in the days ahead, with the fall term at Queen's University lying just around the corner. WATCH | University student trying to get back for a final exam: Laeticia Halbedel, an Air Canada customer visiting family in Taiwan, says the potential strike is a 'major distraction' for her, as she's scheduled to return to take an upcoming final examination in Toronto next week. University of Toronto student Laeticia Halbedel is trying to get back to Toronto from Taipei, Taiwan — and not because the new school year is coming up. She's supposed to be writing a exam for a neuroscience-related course next week. "It's 35 per cent of my final mark, so it's quite important," Halbedel told CBC News Network on Thursday. For now, she's not sure what she's going to do — other than hope that her Taipei-to-Toronto flight will go ahead as scheduled. Back in Toronto, Catt is likewise "hoping for some kind of miracle" to be able to board his Air Canada flight on Saturday.
CTV News
an hour ago
- CTV News
Travellers concerned about getting home as Air Canada cancels flights
Ottawa Watch With Air Canada flight attendants preparing to strike, overseas travellers say they have questions about getting home. CTV's Kimberley Fowler reports.
CTV News
2 hours ago
- CTV News
‘This can't be happening:' Maritime travellers navigate Air Canada flight cancellations
Seen through a barrier with an Air Canada logo on it, passengers check in for an international Air Canada flight at Vancouver International Airport, in Richmond, B.C., on Wednesday, August 13, 2025. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck) It's been a long and stressful day for Stuart Cherenfant, who is just one of a growing number of Air Canada passengers left scrambling for answers. He was supposed to be headed to the Bahamas but instead has been stuck at Halifax Stanfield International Airport. 'I was supposed to go to Ottawa this morning. My flight was around seven, and I got the notification at the last minute, at around 4:50 a.m. that my flight was cancelled,' explains Cherenfant. '[I thought] this can't be happening because it really took a lot for me to plan this trip. I'm actually heading home for a funeral and it's multiple stops that I have to make.' It comes in the midst of a contentious dispute between Air Canada and the union representing more than ten thousand flight attendants. Both sides continue to negotiate a deal, but progress has stalled as the union remains firm their demands for wages and unpaid work needs to be addressed. The latest on the Air Canada dispute Air Canada has begun cancelling flights ahead of its possible full stoppage this weekend. Air Canada says it's actively rescheduling tickets with other airlines, including competitors, which has brought relief to some travellers at Halifax Stanfield International Airport. 'I'm heading for Sydney, Australia. And I got here and was told my flight was canceled, and they got me rebooked very quickly going through the U.S. instead. Actually, getting me in half an hour earlier than my original flight was scheduled to land,' says traveller Fiona Paterson. Still, the airline says its capacity to rebook 'will be very limited.' As such, Gabor Lucas, the president of Air Passenger Rights, says travelers should know their rights. 'The principle is to wait until the flight is canceled. Don't jump the gun. Give Air Canada one chance to rebook you in accordance with the law,' says Lucas. 'If they fail to do so or refuse to do so, then buy yourself a ticket on a competitor and send Air Canada the bill. Give them 30 days to pay up. They don't pay, serve them with small claims court papers. Don't go to the federal government. The Canadian Transportation Agency is not going to help, and they are swamped with 87,000 complaints. Small claims court is your best friend,' explains Lucas. Meanwhile, Cherenfant says Air Canada eventually rebooked him on a flight leaving out of Halifax Thursday night. 'Hopefully I don't get any more surprises at the last minute,' he says. For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
