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Daily Record
8 hours ago
- Business
- Daily Record
Major airline cancels flights amid strikes with Scots airports facing disruption
Air Canada is preparing for a walk out by its cabin crew and has started to cancel flights More than 10,000 flight attendants are set to strike this weekend over 'poverty wages' and unpaid labour. Air Canada started to cancel flights today, Thursday, August 14, and predict a full shutdown on Saturday. Edinburgh Airport and Glasgow Airport could be affected on routes to Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver. It's been described by experts as "the most severe North American shutdown in decades", with 100 per cent of Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge operations ceasing from Saturday morning The industrial action will disrupt between 18 and 28 flights from the UK daily, says AirAdvisor. The air passenger rights company said that it will impact up to 5,600 passengers who fly from the UK. Airports "bearing the brunt" of the upheaval will be London Heathrow, Manchester and Edinburgh 'bearing the brunt'. There will also be secondary impact at Glasgow and Birmingham Airports. Edinburgh Airport sees a daily flight to Toronto Pearson Airport while Glasgow Airport has flights via codeshares or direct services. Glasgow Airport also offers flights to Montreal. The strike is unique in that it will lead to a total shutdown of airline operations. The action is also indefinite with no end date, fliers have been warned. AirAdvisor recommends passengers avoid flying to Canada until the issue is resolved or reroute via the US. Anton Radchenko, Aviation Expert & Founder of AirAdvisor, said: "This strike is a perfect storm for UK-Canada travel. Passengers aren't just losing flights, they're losing time, money, and in some cases, once-in-a-year holiday plans. "Air Canada's UK routes are some of the most premium in the transatlantic market, and a near-total shutdown sends shockwaves across both leisure and business travel. "The economic toll is immediate. Families heading to Canada for summer holidays or students travelling for the start of term are facing hundreds, even thousands, in unexpected expenses. "Business travellers, many of whom choose Air Canada for its reliability and premium cabins, will now have to contend with operational uncertainty that ripples across multiple continents." AirAdvisor said passengers with flights booked should act now. Anton said: " First, check your flight status daily and set alerts via your airline's app. If your booking is inflexible, look at refundable one-stop alternatives via New York, Boston, or Reykjavik before those options sell out. "Keep receipts for any out-of-pocket costs, from meals to hotels, as Canada's APPR rules require airlines to cover reasonable expenses for delays or cancellations within their control. He added: "If you must travel during the strike days, aim for early morning departures when disruption is typically lower, and avoid tight connections. For those who can, consider pushing non-essential trips by a week. "Not only will stress levels drop, but you may also save significantly on fares once the initial rebooking rush subsides.'
Global News
a day ago
- Business
- Global News
Got an Air Canada ticket? Your rights, as strike flight cancellations begin
Talks between Air Canada and the union representing its flight attendants are heading towards a work stoppage this weekend after the union officially gave its strike notice to the airline overnight. But if you bought Air Canada tickets, you might be wondering — can you get a refund, and what should you do now? The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Air Canada says it has served the company with a 72-hour strike notice, while advising members the airline has issued its own plan to lock out employees early Saturday morning. The carrier said it will begin cancelling flights as early as Thursday because 'sudden or unmanaged work stoppages produce a significantly worse disruption to travel than a planned suspension of flying.' 'A controlled wind down allows Air Canada to advise customers in advance, reduces the chance of customers being stranded, provides the airline and customers the time and opportunity to make alternative travel arrangements, and gives customers more certainty,' Air Canada said in a statement on Wednesday morning. Story continues below advertisement The first flights will be cancelled Thursday, with more on Friday, with a complete cessation of flying by Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge on Saturday, the company said. 1:47 Air Canada flight attendants serve strike notice What are your rights? According to the Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA), suspension or cancellation of flights due to labour disruptions, such as strikes or lockouts, is 'deemed outside the airline's control.' Story continues below advertisement However, this does not mean that passengers are left without options. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy The airline must provide you with status updates and work to complete your travel as soon as possible, but is not required to provide compensation under the Air Passenger Protection Regulations (APPR). Any passengers worried about their travel being disrupted should contact the airline to confirm their travel dates and ask what they should do to prepare. They should also regularly consult the airline's website to determine if it has implemented a policy dealing with this situation for ticket holders, the CTA said. Air Canada said in its Wednesday statement that customers whose flights are cancelled will be notified and can obtain a full refund. Customers without confirmed flights should not go to the airport, it added. The refund can be obtained on the Air Canada website or on the Air Canada mobile app. The airline said it is also working to make alternative travel arrangements for customers. Passengers don't have to accept compensation for cancellation if they'd rather have alternative transport arrangements, said Gabor Lukacs, president of the advocacy group Air Passenger Rights. 'From Air Canada's perspective, the best outcome in the case of a strike is give you a refund for a flight they cancel and wash their hands from your alternate transportation. Don't fall for that,' he said. Story continues below advertisement 'If you voluntarily accept a refund, then Air Canada (can) possibly argue, 'A passenger chose a refund (and) we no longer owe them alternate transportation.' But if you say, 'No, I won't accept the refund, give me alternate transportation,' and they fail to do so (or) refuse to do so, they owe you compensation for your alternate transportation costs,' he said. Air Canada said it is working with other airlines to provide alternative transportation for passengers. 'The company has made arrangements with other Canadian and foreign carriers to provide customers alternative travel options to the extent possible. Customers will be notified of alternative travel options that are identified for them,' the statement said. 'However, given other carriers are already very full due to the summer travel peak, securing such capacity will take time and, in many cases, will not be immediately possible,' the statement added. The airline said it has implemented other measures to mitigate the impact of a strike or lockout. 'This includes implementing a flexible rebooking policy for all customers, so they can change or defer travel at no additional cost,' the statement said. If your travel has been disrupted and you're not satisfied with how an airline resolved your issue, you can file a complaint with CTA. Story continues below advertisement Check your insurance Experts say your travel insurance might cover travel disruptions, including from a strike or lockout. 'If your travel insurance policy covers trip cancellation, interruption, delay or missed connection and a strike is listed as a covered reason, you may be reimbursed for prepaid travel costs that Air Canada or other providers won't refund,' said Will McAleer, spokesperson for Travel Health Insurance Association of Canada. He added that any insured travellers should check whether this met the definition of a 'known event' back when they booked their flights. 'Many travel insurance providers may indicate when the threat of the strike became a known event. Policies purchased prior to this date may include coverage, but those purchased after may not,' he added.
Time of India
01-08-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Worried about Air Canada strike? Here's how to prepare for a possible flight attendant walkout
Air Canada faces possible flight attendant strike. Union members may walk off the job in mid-August. This could cause flight delays and cancellations. Travellers should stay informed about the situation. They should also consider flexible booking options. Review travel insurance policies for strike coverage. Negotiations are ongoing to avert the strike. After failed contract negotiations, Air Canada flight attendants could strike as early as August 16. Bargaining will continue, but the uncertainty has prompted many travelers to take precautionary measures. (File Photo) Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Plan Early and Stay Informed Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Book Flexible Travel Options Don't Book Multiple Flights Review Your Travel Insurance Background: Why Flight Attendants Are Considering a Strike As a potential strike by Air Canada flight attendants looms, travellers with flights scheduled in mid to late August may need to prepare for disruptions, including delays or cancellations. The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), which represents more than 10,000 flight attendants at Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge, has initiated a strike mandate vote that runs until August move comes after months of contract negotiations ended without a deal. According to the union, if an agreement isn't reached, flight attendants could walk off the job as early as August 16. Bargaining is expected to resume regardless of the vote's outcome, but the uncertainty has led many travellers to consider precautionary how you can prepare for the possibility of a strike, based on expert suggestions and general travel best practices:Stay updated on the latest developments regarding negotiations between Air Canada and CUPE. Monitor official updates from the airline and news sources for timely information about potential disruptions or alternative arrangements offered by the often send alerts and allow customers to reschedule flights at no extra cost when there's a possibility of disruption. If this happens, take action promptly to secure better rebooking for tickets, accommodations, and rental cars that offer full refunds or flexible cancellation policies. Even if refundable options cost more upfront, they provide greater control and peace of mind if plans change the idea of booking a backup flight on another airline might seem smart, it's often an expensive gamble. Gabor Lukacs, president of the advocacy group Air Passenger Rights, told that travellers shouldn't feel pressured to change their plans until an actual cancellation Canada's Air Passenger Protection Regulations (APPR), airlines are obligated to offer assistance and compensation for cancellations within their control, but only if they are the ones to all travel insurance policies cover labour disruptions. Check the fine print to see whether coverage includes delays or cancellations due to strikes. If you're not covered, consider upgrading or purchasing add-on to CUPE, entry-level wages for flight attendants have increased by only 10 per cent since 2000, while inflation has risen by 169 per cent over the same period, according to a report by key demand is compensation for time spent performing duties such as boarding, safety checks, and deplaning, which currently go unpaid under existing contracts. The union has also raised concerns about pensions and overall job Air Canada has acknowledged the vote as a routine part of labour negotiations, it says it's committed to reaching a fair and competitive agreement that supports its staff and long-term growth.
Yahoo
30-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Air Canada flight attendants could soon be on strike: Here's what to know
In a vote that began on Monday, Air Canada's flight attendants will determine whether they wish to strike or not. The Canadian Union of Public Employees, which represents more than 10,000 Air Canada's flight attendants, has been locked in negotiations with the airline for more than seven months. The vote will remain open until Aug. 5. Here's everything to know about why the vote is happening, if a strike could happen, and the impacts customers might feel while travelling. What the union wants in the new contract After a 10-year agreement, the union is seeking a new contract that it says should address the issues workers are facing. The main issue they want fixed in the new contract is the amount of unpaid work flight attendants do. Of particular concern to the union is the unpaid pre-boarding preparation, which includes safety checks or assisting passengers with special needs. The union says flight attendants in Canada work for free an average of 35 hours per month. Besides the unpaid hours, the union also aims to increase wages and improve expense allowances, the amount of money they can spend daily while on layovers. The union also says it wants fairer rest and scheduling protections for flight attendants and a review of current pension offers. 'The company continues to show no willingness to meaningfully address the critical issues on the table: fair wages, compensation for all time worked, safe and humane working conditions, and a path forward that recognizes your professional value,' the union wrote in an update to its members. If the majority votes yes to a strike, what happens? If the majority of workers vote in favour of it, and no agreement is reached, the 72-hour strike notice could be given as early as Aug. 16. However, the union says that its goal is still to reach a new contract at the bargaining table; but if not, a strike could happen as a last resort. What does Air Canada say about it? On Friday, Air Canada acknowledged that the vote was happening, saying this is a 'a normal step in the negotiation process and does not mean that any disruption will take place.' The airline also said it is committed to the bargaining process and remains fully available for more negotiations with CUPE to reach a fair and equitable collective agreement. How might this impact customers? Flights operated by Air Canada's main line or Rouge would be impacted, and most likely cancelled were flight attendants to go on strike. Air Canada Express and Jazz flights might not be impacted directly, since they are in different agreements, but could be due to the impact of cancelled flights. When it comes to refunds or rescheduling in case the strike happens, the Airline Passenger Protections Regulations (APPR) say that labour disputes are out of the airline's control, so passengers could get refunded or rebooked, but will not be compensated. The airline has 48 hours after the scheduled departure time to rebook passengers in the next available flight of their airline or any airlines they have partnerships with. If they can't do that in that time period, the passengers get to decide if they want to be refunded within 30 days or rebooked. Air Canada has a list of partner airlines on its website. Pierre Poilievre draws cheers and criticism at Alberta byelection debate Ottawa ends funding for asylum seekers' hotel rooms after seven years, $1.2 billion Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark and sign up for our newsletters here.
Vancouver Sun
29-07-2025
- Vancouver Sun
WestJet must pay $2K for cancelled flights after B.C. tribunal rejects airline's 'highly technical' evidence
A B.C. tribunal has ordered WestJet to pay more than $2,000 to two passengers after ruling the airline failed to provide sufficient evidence that weather conditions made it unsafe to operate scheduled flights. In a decision from the province's civil resolution tribunal published last week, Nathan and Leah Baugh were awarded $1,000 each under Canada's Air Passenger Protection Regulations (APPR), which mandate such compensation when arrival at a passenger's destination is delayed by nine hours or more beyond the time noted on the original ticket for reasons within the airline's control. The Baughs, scheduled to fly from St. John's to Vancouver on March 7, 2022, with a stopover in Toronto, were notified by email about 17 hours prior that their flight had been cancelled due to weather. They were rebooked on flights departing March 8. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. WestJet said the weather in St. John's on the evening of March 6 — a winter storm and wind speeds greater than 62 kilometres per hour at the airport — forced the cancellation of the incoming flight from Toronto due to safety concerns. With no aircraft available to operate the route the next morning, the March 7 departures had to be rescheduled. As part of their claim, the Baughs also submitted a recording of a phone call with a WestJet representative who said the cancellation was due to a scheduling change — not weather. The airline didn't dispute that the call took place, but said its agents sometimes operate with incomplete information and maintained that the cancellations in question were weather-related. The Baughs also submitted a screenshot showing that several other airlines operated flights out of St. John's International Airport on March 7, arguing that weather conditions did not prevent safe departures that day. The APPR absolves airlines of compensatory obligations in instances where weather would make it unsafe to operate, provided they can provide the necessary evidence. Tribunal member Max Pappin, however, said the Western Canadian airline didn't provide 'any information about the specific aircraft' or its limits as it relates to the terminal aerodrome forecasts submitted as evidence. 'Additionally, much of the evidence provided consists of unexplained acronyms, codes, and numbers, whose meaning is far from obvious,' Pappin wrote of the 'highly technical' evidence, which he ruled needed an expert's opinion to decipher their meaning as it relates to the APPR. 'There is no expert evidence before me. So, I find the submitted evidence is not sufficient to show that safe operation of the aircraft was impossible due to meteorological conditions.' Pappin also noted the airline failed to provide documentation to support its claim that the cancellations were made for safety reasons. In addition to the $1,000, both applicants received $126.72 in pre-judgement interest under the Court Order Interest Act, and Nathan Baugh was reimbursed for a $125 tribunal fee. Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark and sign up for our daily newsletter, Posted, here .
