Air Canada Grounds Flights as Cabin Crew Strike Strands 100,000 Passengers

Toronto, — Air Canada was forced to suspend operations on Saturday after thousands of its cabin crew walked off the job in a dispute over pay and working conditions.

The sudden strike has stranded more than 100,000 passengers at airports worldwide, causing widespread travel disruption across North America, Europe, and Asia.

The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), representing the airline’s 10,000 flight attendants, said its members were left with “no choice” after negotiations with management collapsed overnight. Union leaders claim wages have failed to keep pace with inflation and that crew are facing “exhausting schedules” amid a post-pandemic travel surge.

Air Canada, the country’s largest carrier, called the strike “deeply regrettable” and urged the union to return to the bargaining table, warning that prolonged disruptions could severely impact Canada’s aviation sector and tourism industry.

The Canadian government has not ruled out intervention, with Transport Minister Pablo Rodriguez stating that Ottawa is “closely monitoring the situation.”

Industry analysts say each day of suspended operations could cost Air Canada millions of dollars in lost revenue, while ripple effects threaten to disrupt global air travel networks.