Toronto, Canada — Air Canada has halted all flights as a strike involving over 10,000 flight attendants commenced early Saturday morning. The disruption comes during the busy summer travel season, leaving numerous passengers worldwide stranded and anxious about their travel plans after negotiations between the airline and its staff failed to produce a new contract.

Hugh Pouliot, a spokesperson for the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), confirmed that the strike began at 1 a.m. EDT, coinciding with Air Canada’s announcement of a lockout, preventing attendants from accessing airport facilities. The union had recently rejected the airline’s request for government-mediated arbitration, which would have forced them to relinquish their right to strike and accept a third party’s decision on contract terms.

Despite a meeting Friday night involving federal Minister of Jobs Patty Hajdu and representatives from both parties, progress toward a resolution proved elusive. Minister Hajdu urged both sides to intensify their efforts to reach an agreement that could end the stalemate. “It is unacceptable that so little progress has been made,” she stated on social media.

Travelers face significant disruptions as Air Canada operates around 700 flights daily, potentially affecting approximately 130,000 individuals. Reports indicate that about 25,000 Canadians are currently left without options abroad, with travelers like Montreal resident Alex Laroche facing losses on a planned $8,000 trip to Europe. With flights circling the globe through peak summer months, experiencing delays or cancellations has left many in a precarious situation.

Air Canada Chief Operating Officer Mark Nasr suggested that full operational recovery could take up to a week, contingent upon reaching a tentative deal. Passengers whose travel plans have been disrupted can request full refunds via the airline’s website or mobile application. The airline is also seeking to coordinate rebooking options with various international carriers, although it cautioned that the availability of flights may be limited due to current demand.

Laroche and his girlfriend were looking forward to their trip, but with their original booking in jeopardy, he considered alternative options that turned out to be both limited and expensive. “It’s just a waiting game at this point,” he said, reflecting on the uncertainty faced by many affected travelers. Initially frustrated with the union’s decision to strike, Laroche’s perspective shifted as he learned more about the issues at stake, particularly concerning wages.

The protracted contract negotiations between Air Canada and CUPE, now ongoing for eight months, highlight deep divisions primarily around pay and the hours worked when planes are on the ground. The airline’s last proposal included a total compensation increase of 38% over four years and claimed it would result in the highest pay for flight attendants in Canada. However, the union disputed the offer, stating that the initial 8% raise, offered for the first year, fell short when adjusted for inflation.

As the strike unfolds, the focus remains on how and when both parties can find common ground to resume operations and restore normalcy amid a challenging travel season.