Less than a day before a potential pilots’ strike, Air Transat has taken action by canceling twelve flights for Tuesday and six more for Wednesday. The affected routes include flights from Toronto Pearson to Manchester, U.K.; Montreal to Málaga, Spain; Toronto Pearson to Lisbon; Montreal to Paris; Toronto Pearson to London Gatwick; and Montreal to Lima. Additionally, round trip flights between Montreal and Cancun, Toronto Pearson and Cancun, and Montreal and Punta Cana have already been canceled.
Amélie Héroux-Gauthier, a resident of Gatineau, Que., who is set to get married in Mexico this week, expressed concerns about her Air Transat flight potentially being canceled. She shared her uncertainty, stating, “Right now we’re in limbo. We don’t know if the strike will be happening. We know nothing. We’re just waiting.” She is contemplating whether to proactively cancel her Dec. 12 flight to Cancun.
On Monday, the airline cautioned that unless a deal was reached with the Air Line Pilots Association, Intl. (ALPA) by Tuesday, they would begin scaling back operations in preparation for a strike. ALPA issued a 72-hour strike notice on Sunday, indicating that the pilots could strike as early as 3 a.m. ET on Wednesday.
The airline’s spokesperson mentioned that several planes have been deployed to bring back passengers currently abroad to avoid potential disruptions caused by a strike. Negotiations are ongoing, with the airline presenting “improved offers” on Monday night after progress was acknowledged at the bargaining table by both parties.
According to Capt. Bradley Small, chair of the union’s Air Transat Master Executive Council, discussions are ongoing, emphasizing the importance of reaching a resolution for passengers and pilots. Professor John Gradek from McGill University highlighted that many labor disputes are often resolved just before a strike deadline, underscoring the pressure it creates for both parties to find a solution to minimize disruptions.
Given Air Transat’s smaller fleet compared to major carriers like Air Canada and WestJet, Gradek noted the airline faces greater financial risks in the event of a strike due to its limited resources.