Hundreds of Air Canada flights have been canceled since last Sunday due to the flight attendant strike, and it appears this situation is unlikely to change anytime soon.
United Airlines steps in to help Air Canada passengers
United Airlines, Air Canada’s StarAlliance partner, has decided to step in to alleviate the difficult situation faced by thousands of the Canadian airline’s passengers due to the cancellation of their flights.
The American airline is offering to reroute passengers to their destinations by placing them on alternative flights scheduled this week from nine airports: Calgary, Edmonton, Halifax, Montreal, Ottawa, Quebec City, Toronto, Vancouver and Winnipeg.
United Airlines announced that it will continue to operate flights for its partner Air Canada until August 18, stating that it is willing to extend this special program throughout the lockout period.
An open strike by flight attendants causes widespread disruption to Air Canada flights
Air Canada began canceling flights after midnight on Saturday after its flight attendants began a strike demanding a pay increase.
Despite a return-to-work order from the Canada Industrial Relations Board, the president of the union representing 10,000 flight attendants working at Canada’s national airline refused to comply with the order, confirming that the strike will continue until the flight attendants’ demands are met.