Less than a day before a potential pilots’ strike, Air Transat has axed twelve flights slated for Tuesday and another six for Wednesday.
The affected Tuesday flights include routes 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. Further Wednesday flight cancellations can be found here.
Previously, Air Transat had already canceled round trip flights between Montreal and Cancun, Toronto Pearson and Cancun, and Montreal and Punta Cana.
Concerned about her upcoming flight to Cancun, Amélie Héroux-Gauthier from Gatineau, Que., who is getting married in Mexico this week, expressed uncertainty about the situation, stating, “Right now we’re in limbo. We don’t know if the strike will be happening. We know nothing. We’re just waiting.”
On Monday, Air Transat cautioned that if an agreement was not reached with the Air Line Pilots Association, Intl. (ALPA) by Tuesday, they would begin winding down operations in preparation for a potential strike.
The strike notice issued by ALPA on Sunday indicates that Air Transat’s pilots could initiate a strike as early as 3 a.m. ET on Wednesday.
A representative for the airline mentioned on Tuesday morning that efforts were ongoing to secure an agreement to minimize operational disruptions. Additionally, Air Transat has dispatched several planes to repatriate passengers currently abroad who may face flight disruptions due to the potential strike.
Negotiations are still ongoing, with the airline making “improved offers” on Monday following a reported progress in discussions between the two parties.
Air Transat announced on Sunday it will gradually shut down operations over the next three days in response to a 72-hour strike mandate issued by the union representing its 750 pilots. Labour lawyer Sundeep Gokhale discusses the situation on Hanomansing Tonight.
Capt. Bradley Small, the chair of the union’s Air Transat Master Executive Council, affirmed that negotiations are still in progress. “We owe it to our passengers and pilots to reach a deal,” he stated.
Expressing commitment to securing a fair contract for pilots and ensuring airline stability, he added, “We are committed to negotiating a fair and modern contract that will bring stability to our pilots and our airline.”
John Gradek, a professor at McGill University specializing in operations and integrated aviation management, highlighted that many labor disputes often see resolutions in the final hours
