Air Canada, the country’s largest airline, will resume operations after reaching a tentative deal with its unionised flight attendants, ending the first strike by cabin crew in nearly four decades.
The agreement was reached early Tuesday following mediation between the airline, its low-cost unit Air Canada Rouge, and the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE). While details were not disclosed, the union declared that “unpaid work is over” and said members would vote on the proposed contract.
The strike, which began Saturday and lasted nearly four days, disrupted travel for about 130,000 passengers per day. It also forced the airline to withdraw its third-quarter and full-year earnings guidance.
Following news of the deal, Air Canada shares rose 4% in early Tuesday trading, though they remain down roughly 14% since the start of the year.
The airline said flights would gradually resume from Tuesday evening, but cautioned that a full return to normal schedules could take up to 10 days. During that period, some cancellations will continue.
Customers affected by the disruptions will be offered a refund, travel credit, or rebooking on another carrier.
