Air Transat has taken action by canceling a number of flights ahead of a potential pilots’ strike within the next 24 hours. The airline has scrapped twelve flights planned for Tuesday and an additional six for Wednesday. Among the canceled flights are routes from Toronto Pearson to Manchester, UK, and Montreal to Málaga, Spain, among others. Previous cancellations included flights between Montreal and Cancun, Toronto Pearson and Cancun, and Montreal and Punta Cana.
The looming strike has left passengers like Amélie Héroux-Gauthier, who is set to get married in Mexico this week, uncertain about their travel plans. The airline had warned that if an agreement with the Air Line Pilots Association, Intl. (ALPA) was not reached by Tuesday, they would begin scaling back operations in preparation for the strike.
ALPA issued a 72-hour strike notice on Sunday, indicating that the pilots could strike as early as Wednesday morning. Negotiations are ongoing, with the airline expressing hope for a resolution to avoid disruptions. Air Transat has also arranged for planes to bring back passengers currently abroad who might be affected by the strike.
Captain Bradley Small of the union’s Air Transat Master Executive Council emphasized the commitment to reaching a fair contract for both pilots and the airline. Industry expert John Gradek noted that many labor disputes often see resolutions just before strike deadlines, highlighting the pressure on both parties to find common ground.
Given Air Transat’s smaller fleet compared to major carriers like Air Canada and WestJet, Gradek mentioned the higher financial risks for the leisure airline in the event of a strike. The negotiations continue as both parties strive to reach a mutually beneficial agreement.
