Air Canada pilot strike averted following late-night agreement

Passengers flying with Air Canada can breathe easily after the airline came to a tentative, four-year agreement with the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) on Saturday night.

The airline explained in a news release that Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge will “continue to operate as normal," after reaching a deal with the union that represents more than 5,200 pilots.

“Customers who used the airline's labour disruption goodwill policy to change their flights originally scheduled from between Sept. 15 - 23, 2024, to another date before Nov. 30, 2024, can change their booking back to their original flight in the same cabin at no cost, providing there is space available,” stated Air Canada.

The airline added that the new agreement “recognizes the contributions and professionalism” of its pilot group.

“While it has been an exceptionally long road to this agreement, the consistent engagement and unified determination of our pilots have been the catalyst for achieving this contract,” said First Officer Charlene Hudy, chair of the Air Canada ALPA master executive council.

“After several consecutive weeks of intense round-the-clock negotiations, progress was made on several key issues including compensation, retirement, and work rules. This agreement, if ratified by the pilot group, would officially put an end to our outdated and stale decade-old, 10-year framework.”

The terms of the new agreement will remain confidential pending a ratification vote by the union’s members, which is expected to be completed over the next month.

Had a deal not been reached, the parties would have been in a position to legally strike or hold a lockout as early as Sept. 18, 2024, potentially affecting 110,000 customers daily, according to Air Canada.