In an exclusive update, Air Canada is planning to resume operations on August 18 at 4 PM EST, according to Mark Nasr, the airline’s Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. This news follows a turbulent period for the airline, as flight attendants have been in conflict over working conditions and agreements.
Originally, flights were slated to restart today at 2 PM EST due to a back-to-work order issued by the Canadian Industrial Relations Board. However, Air Canada flight attendants chose to resist this order, insisting they would not return until a satisfactory collective agreement had been reached to serve their members’ interests.
As the situation stands, there remains uncertainty over whether flight attendants will comply with the demands to return to work or continue their defiance by remaining off duty. Nasr expressed the urgency of the matter, noting, “We’re up to almost a half a million customers that are facing some kind of disruption. We have to get the planes back in the air; we have to get Canadians moving again.” He emphasized that the airline depends on the cooperation of the crew, stating, “For that we need CUPE to end their illegal strike directive which is going out to Air Canada flight attendants.”
In light of the ongoing conflict, Air Canada has made the challenging decision to suspend operations until Monday at 4 PM ET. The COO remains hopeful, saying, “Our hope and our plan right now is to restore operations globally at 4 PM Eastern Time Monday. But in order for that to happen, we need our flight attendants. They’re an integral part of our team.”
During an interview with Nina Slawek, the President of Open Jaw, Nasr addressed the critical question of what would happen if flight attendants did not return to work by the set time. “I don’t want to speculate. We’ll take everything as it comes. But we are working right now to ensure that is not the case. I very much hope that we won’t be there tomorrow evening,” he clarified.
The situation has raised significant concerns regarding travel plans for many Canadians. Travelers are advised to monitor Air Canada’s official website and social media channels for the latest updates regarding flight operations and potential disruptions.
For insights into labor laws in Canada, you can visit the Canadian Industrial Relations Board; and those seeking information on flight status updates are encouraged to check Air Canada’s official website. The airline industry continues to navigate this complex situation, and stakeholders are watching closely to see how it unfolds in the coming days.
