Less than a day before a potential pilots’ strike, Air Transat has axed twelve Tuesday flights and six Wednesday flights. The affected routes include Toronto Pearson to Manchester, U.K., Montreal to Málaga, Spain, Toronto Pearson to Lisbon, Montreal to Paris, Toronto Pearson to London Gatwick, and Montreal to Lima. Earlier cancellations involved round trips between Montreal and Cancun, Toronto Pearson and Cancun, and Montreal and Punta Cana.
With the strike looming, Gatineau resident Amélie Héroux-Gauthier, who is set to marry in Mexico this week, anxiously awaits news on her Air Transat flight. Uncertainty prevails as the airline warned of operational wind-downs if a deal with the Air Line Pilots Association, Intl. (ALPA) isn’t reached by Tuesday.
ALPA issued a 72-hour strike notice on Sunday, setting a potential walkout time of 3 a.m. ET on Wednesday. Negotiations are ongoing, with Air Transat sending planes to repatriate passengers facing flight disruptions. The carrier made improved offers after progress at the bargaining table, aiming to avoid operational disruptions.
Captain Bradley Small of ALPA’s Air Transat Master Executive Council affirmed commitment to reaching a fair contract. McGill University’s aviation management professor, John Gradek, highlighted the pressure on both sides to settle disputes before a strike, noting Air Transat’s difference in fleet size compared to major carriers like Air Canada and WestJet, making it more financially vulnerable in the event of a strike.