Air Canada and Pilots Reach Deal to Avoid Painful Strike

“The new agreement recognizes the contributions and professionalism of Air Canada’s pilot group, while providing a framework for the future growth of the airline,” Air Canada officials said. “Terms of the new agreement will remain confidential pending a ratification vote by the membership, expected to be completed over the next month, and approval by the Air Canada Board of Directors.”

If ratified, the union said the tentative deal will generate an approximate additional $1.9B of value for Air Canada pilots over the course of the agreement. Ratification requires approval by a majority of the voting membership, who will soon receive the tentative agreement for review.

“While it has been an exceptionally long road to this agreement, the consistent engagement and unified determination of our pilots have been the catalyst for achieving this contract,” said First Officer Charlene Hudy, chair of the Air Canada ALPA MEC. “After several consecutive weeks of intense round-the-clock negotiations, progress was made on several key issues including compensation, retirement, and work rules. This agreement, if ratified by the pilot group, would officially put an end to our outdated and stale decade-old, ten-year framework.”

Air Canada said customers who used the airline’s labour disruption goodwill policy to change their flights originally scheduled from between September 15 and 23, 2024, to another date before November 30, 2024, can change their booking back to their original flight in the same cabin at no cost, providing there is space available.

Officials said Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge will continue to operate as normal and for more information customers should consult www.aircanada.com/action. 

A strike would have had a tremendous impact on Canadian travel, as Air Canada is by far the dominant player in Canadian aviation. Air Canada flies some 670 routes a day, carrying roughly 110,000 passengers to destinations around the world.