TORONTO, Canada — Air Canada announced plans to gradually resume flight operations following a tentative agreement reached early Tuesday with the union representing approximately 10,000 striking flight attendants. The labor action had led to significant travel disruptions, affecting hundreds of thousands of passengers during one of the busiest travel periods of the year.

Negotiations restarted late Monday, marking the first discussions since the strike began on Saturday, which impacted roughly 130,000 travelers daily. Air Canada indicated that operations would begin to resume at 4 p.m. Eastern Time, though officials warned that it could take seven to ten days to fully stabilize service.

The strike commenced after flight attendants rejected the airline’s request for third-party mediation in contract negotiations. One of the primary points of contention was the lack of pay for flight attendants during periods when aircraft were on the ground. The union expressed satisfaction with the new agreement, emphasizing a commitment to ensure that members are compensated for all work performed.

In a statement, the union declared, “Unpaid work is over. We have reclaimed our voice and our power,” referencing the successful negotiation of a tentative agreement, which members will vote on in the coming days.

Michael Rousseau, Air Canada’s chief executive, emphasized the complexities involved in reinstating normal operations. He cautioned that while some flights would be canceled, the airline anticipates completing about half of its scheduled departures for the day, focusing on international routes first. “Full restoration may require a week or more,” he stated, requesting understanding from customers as the airline works to stabilize its operations.

The agreement was facilitated by a mediator, and Air Canada noted that discussions were premised on the union’s commitment to return flight attendants to work immediately. The airline will not comment on the specifics of the deal until the ratification process is finalized.

On Monday, the Canada Industrial Relations Board had declared the strike illegal and mandated that employees return to their duties. However, union leaders chose to defy this directive and resisted earlier requests to submit to binding arbitration.

Labor advocates have criticized the government for frequently employing legislation that restricts workers’ rights to strike, a trend they say has affected various sectors, including ports and railways, in recent times. The union reiterated on its website that members’ rights to vote on their compensation had been preserved despite the government’s actions.

Air Canada typically operates around 700 flights daily, and the airline projected that as many as 500,000 customers could have been impacted by the cancellations. According to aviation analytics firm Cirium, the airline had canceled over 2,500 domestic and international flights since the onset of the labor dispute.

Toronto Pearson International Airport, Canada’s largest, announced it would bolster staffing to assist passengers as Air Canada begins to ramp up its operations. Prime Minister Mark Carney expressed relief over the tentative agreement, hoping it would ensure fair compensation for flight attendants and restore normalcy for travelers.

Passengers affected by flight cancellations may seek refunds through Air Canada’s website or mobile app. The airline is taking steps to ensure that any inconvenience to customers is mitigated as it returns to regular service.