Canadian airline cancels flights ahead of strike

Air Transat, one of Canada’s largest airlines, will start gradually suspending some flights on Monday as it prepares for a possible pilots’ strike slated for Wednesday.

The pilots’ union, the Air Line Pilots Association, issued a 72‑hour strike notice on Sunday, warning that its members will stop work on Wednesday if a new contract is not reached.

According to the union, ninety‑nine percent of its 750 pilots voted to authorise a strike, citing a year‑long effort to replace the 2015 agreement with better pay, benefits, work rules and job security.

“No pilot wants to strike, but Air Transat management has left us no choice,” Capt. Bradley Small, a union leader, said in a statement. “If we cannot reach an agreement, management will be responsible for every cancelled flight and stranded passenger.”

Air Transat called the notice premature. Julie Lamontagne, the airline’s human‑resources officer, said the company has been negotiating in good faith and accused the union of indifference. “The decision to authorize a strike does not reflect the progress made at the bargaining table,” she said.

The airline announced it will cancel flights on Monday and suspend all flights on Tuesday to avoid a sudden, unplanned interruption that could strand crews, passengers and aircraft abroad.

For Ghanaian travellers, the move could affect flights to and from Toronto and Montreal, key hubs for the Ghana‑Canada diaspora and tourism links. Travel agencies in Accra have warned customers to monitor bookings and consider alternative routes.

In 2024, Air Transat’s flight dispatchers also voted for a strike, which was ultimately averted. The current standoff underscores broader challenges in the aviation sector, where pilots worldwide are seeking contracts that match industry standards.

Both parties say there is still time to reach an agreement before the strike deadline. The airline urges the union to return to the table, while the pilots maintain that without a fair deal, they will proceed with industrial action.

Stakeholders will watch for any developments closely, as a strike could ripple through the Canadian‑Ghana travel corridor and impact holiday plans for many Ghanaians abroad.

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