August 16, 2025 | Dubai, UAE: The strike made Air Canada shut down by the Canadian Union of Public Workers (CUPE), leaving about 130,000 people stuck on a busy summer weekend. Air Canada said it stopped all work after more than 10,000 flight helpers did not go to work at 12:58 am ET on Saturday.
The Air Canada shutdown affects all flights by Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge, while Air Canada Express, run by other local groups, still works. The Air Canada shutdown came after CUPE gave a 72-hour strike notice on Wednesday, ending days of big trouble where the airline lost over 600 flights as they saw this coming.
Strike Wants and Work Fight in Air Canada Shut Down
CUPE, with the flight helpers, said “We are now on strike,” making clear that its people want fair pay and to be seen for unpaid work. The big fight is about pay for work done on the ground, like when people get on the plane. Helpers say this busy time is now not paid, even though it’s key for both safety and service.
Rafael Gomez, from the University of Toronto’s Center for Work Talks, mentioned that it’s normal in this field to pay helpers only for flight time, but CUPE makes it about fairness. He said, “A common person might think, ‘I see a helper working when I get on, why don’t they get paid?’ That view makes CUPE’s fight strong,” Gomez said.
Air Canada showed its last pay offer on Thursday, saying top helpers might get about CAN$87,000 by 2027. CUPE, however, did not agree, saying the rises were too low and under both inflation and market rates. The union also said no to talks asked by both the government and the airline.
With no deal yet, the Air Canada shutdown led to a full stop of daily work, making a big mess at airports in Canada, the U.S., and worldwide.
Effect on People and Airline Work
The shutdown hits about 700 flights a day, stopping travel plans for over 130,000 people. By Friday night, the airline had already cut 623 flights, affecting over 100,000 people, before the real strike started. Airports were ready for long lines, mix-ups, and stuck people as the airline said allthe more flights were off until they told us more.
Air Canada leaders know the big mess but say they can’t run safe or well without cabin aids. “Our first job is to keep people and our team safe,” said someone from Air Canada. “With no helpers, we can’t fly. This made us stop all main and Rouge works. People watching this think the strike will quickly hit the airline’s money. “It’s the best time to travel. Each lost day costs the airline lots of money,” Gomez added. “Both sides know a long fight will cost too much. They are risking it all.”
Yet, Air Canada Express flights keep going by outside local helpers. The airline told people to check their flight plan and not go to airports unless needed while they wait for more news.
For many, this Air Canada shutdown is at the worst time, when lots of people travel. Families, work travelers, and tourists now have to cancel, rebook, or quickly find other ways with different airlines.
Talks are stuck as CUPE wants more money and to be seen for the boarding work. Air Canada, with lots of people mad and big money loss, will likely talk again soon. While experts think this may end fast because of the high stakes, the Air Canada shutdown has already made history as one of the biggest airline stops in Canada’s flight world.
People should watch for news from the airline, think about other carriers, and keep up as the work fight goes on. This Air Canada shutdown shows the big pull between airlines wanting to save costs and front-line people wanting to be seen for more work.
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