Air Transat Flight Cancellations Loom Amid Pilot Strike Notice
It’s been a tense few days for anyone planning to fly with Air Transat, and the situation has now taken a more serious turn. The airline has confirmed that it will begin cancelling flights starting Monday, all because its pilots have issued a formal 72-hour strike notice. If negotiations don’t lead to a deal, job action could begin early Wednesday morning, and the airline is already preparing for the worst-case scenario.
What’s happening here is the result of union talks that have been underway since last winter. The Air Line Pilots Association has been pushing for better pay and improved working conditions, especially considering that the current agreement was last updated in 2015. Air Transat, however, has called the strike notice “premature” and insists that progress has been made at the bargaining table. Even so, the airline says it cannot risk having passengers, crews, or aircraft stranded abroad, especially with the holiday travel season fast approaching.
As a result, a gradual wave of cancellations is being rolled out starting Monday, with a full suspension of flights expected by December 9 if no agreement is reached. This step is being taken to avoid chaos later in the week, but it does come with its own complications—especially for travellers who are already at their destination or scheduled to fly in the coming days.
Also Read:Air Transat has released detailed guidance to help customers navigate the disruption. Travellers with flights scheduled on or before December 12 are being asked to check their flight status up to 48 hours beforehand. If a flight is cancelled, an email will be sent automatically, and a full refund will be issued to the original payment method. Those with flights still active but who prefer to cancel pre-emptively can do so through an online form and will receive a travel credit valid for one year.
People travelling on or after December 13 can still change or cancel their flights, but normal fare rules will apply. The airline is also asking customers not to contact support teams simply to adjust travel dates, since staff are being redirected to assist those already away from home.
For travellers currently abroad, Air Transat says it will provide a new ticket on the next available flight within 48 hours of the original departure if their return trip is affected. If they decline that option, or if no alternative is available, they will be refunded for the unused portion of their journey. Those who are part of a full vacation package will also have extra expenses covered if their stay ends up being extended.
There is even an option for travellers to book with another airline if they can find a seat within 48 hours of their scheduled departure, as long as their Air Transat flight has officially been cancelled. In those cases, the unused portion of the Air Transat ticket and any price difference may be reimbursed once proof of purchase is submitted.
Through all of this, Canada’s Air Passenger Protection Regulations still apply, meaning refunds—whether cash, credit, or voucher—must be issued within 30 days. For now, though, all eyes are on the ongoing negotiations, with travellers hoping the disruptions end before the strike becomes a reality.
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