Flight attendants continue strike, all Air Canada flights suspended, again

Air Canada said it has suspended its plan to resume limited flying by Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge on Sunday after the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) “illegally directed its flight attendant members to defy a direction from the Canadian Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) to return to work.” The airline now hopes to resume flights tomorrow evening.

All operations of Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge were initially suspended on Saturday due to a strike by CUPE. By the Government of Canada's direction, "the CIRB ordered a resumption of our activities and directed our flight attendants to return to work," Air Canada said in a press release.

Approximately 240 flights scheduled to operate beginning this afternoon have now been cancelled by the airline. Typically, the carriers operate 700 flights a day.

Customers whose flights are cancelled will be notified and are strongly advised not to go to the airport unless they have confirmed flights with other airlines. Air Canada will offer those with cancelled flights options, including obtaining a full refund or receiving a credit for future travel. The carrier will also offer to rebook customers on other carriers, although capacity is currently limited due to the peak summer travel season.

Air Canada Express flights operated by Jazz or PAL continue to operate as normal.