Air Transat Turmoil: Flights Halted as Strike Threat Looms
So, let me walk you through what’s happening with Air Transat right now, because the situation has quickly escalated into something pretty dramatic. Air Transat, which is one of Canada’s major airlines, has announced that it will begin cancelling flights and gradually winding down its operations. And this isn’t just a routine schedule change—this is happening because the airline’s pilots have issued a 72-hour strike notice.
The pilots, represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, have been negotiating a new contract for almost a year. Their current deal dates back to 2015, and they’re pushing for pay, benefits and work rules that match industry standards. According to the union, 99% of the 750 pilots voted in favour of allowing a strike, which shows just how united they are on this issue. They’ve made it clear that no pilot wants to strike, but they feel they’ve been backed into a corner after months of what they describe as unproductive bargaining.
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Once the strike notice was issued, Air Transat responded by calling it premature. Even so, the company said it had no choice but to begin shutting down operations in an orderly way to prevent passengers, crew, and aircraft from being stranded abroad if the strike actually goes ahead. Starting Monday, some flights are being cancelled, and all flights are scheduled to be suspended by Tuesday—just one day before the possible walkout on Wednesday.
What complicates things further is that both sides do say progress is being made at the bargaining table. They’re still talking, still pushing, still trying to avoid this strike altogether. But tension remains high. The airline insists it has been negotiating in good faith and even says it has offered significant wage increases—although the union argues it has not received any offer as high as what the company is claiming.
All this is happening at a time when Air Transat is already dealing with financial pressure. The company hasn’t had a profitable year since 2018, and although it recently restructured a large government loan, the deal gave Ottawa a 20% stake in the business. That decision angered shareholder Pierre Karl Péladeau, who owns nearly 10% of Transat and is now challenging the company’s leadership.
So, between financial struggles, tense labour negotiations, and now a possible shutdown of all flights, Air Transat finds itself in a critical moment. Whether operations come to a halt or a last-minute agreement is reached, the next couple of days are going to be incredibly important—not just for the airline, but for thousands of passengers who are watching this unfold and hoping their travel plans won’t be turned upside down.
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