Air Canada Faces Flight Attendant Shortage, Cancels Flights Amid Unreported Work.

Air Canada is experiencing flight attendant absences, with nearly 300 not reporting for work tonight. This will result in additional flight cancellations. The airline is dealing with staffing issues amid a summer travel surge.

Air Canada is currently grappling with significant staffing issues, with nearly 300 flight attendants not reporting for work tonight, leading to additional flight cancellations. This comes amidst a summer travel surge that has put increased pressure on the airline's operations.

The airline has been experiencing labor disputes with the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), which represents 10,000 flight attendants. Negotiations have been ongoing for months, but a breakthrough has not yet been reached. The union has expressed dissatisfaction with the airline's wage offers, arguing that they do not adequately reflect industry standards and inflation [2].

In response to the ongoing negotiations, Air Canada has begun to wind down its operations. The airline has canceled most of its flights over the next few days to prepare for a potential strike. This phased wind down is expected to complete over the next three days, affecting approximately 130,000 passengers daily, including 25,000 Canadians returning home from abroad [2].

United Airlines, a Star Alliance partner of Air Canada, has issued a flight change waiver for travelers affected by the potential strike. The waiver allows customers to rebook their flights without change fees or fare differences, provided the new flight is in the same cabin and between the same cities as the original ticket [1].

The summer travel season has been particularly challenging for Air Canada, with a surge in demand and limited rebooking options due to the strike. The airline is expected to face further difficulties in meeting the peak travel season's demands if the labor disputes are not resolved.

References:
[1] https://www.travelmarketreport.com/air/articles/united-airlines-issues-flight-change-waiver-as-air-canada-flight-attendant-strike-looms
[2] https://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2025/08/14/canada-air-canada-canecels-flights-attendant-strike/8471755180641/