- Flights to resume this evening, Sunday, August 17, 2025, after negotiations with CUPE were sent to binding arbitration.
- All Air Canada and Rouge flight attendants ordered back by 2:00 p.m. EDT; recovery will be gradual.
- Customers should not go to the airport without a confirmed, operating booking; expect elevated call wait times.
The Big Picture
Air Canada said it will restart operations tonight after the Canadian Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) acted on a federal directive from Minister Patty Hajdu referring talks with the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) to final binding interest arbitration, ordering crews back by 2:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday, August 17. The carrier warned it will take several days to normalize schedules following the shutdown that began at 1:30 a.m. EDT on August 16. Air Canada statement.
What’s New
The CIRB extended the expired collective agreement (which lapsed March 31, 2025) from April 1 until a new deal takes effect through arbitration. Because aircraft and crews are out of position, the restart will be phased, with additional cancellations expected over the next seven to ten days as the schedule stabilizes. The strike had already forced the suspension of more than 700 flights.
What They’re Saying
Context
The government’s action was issued under Section 107 of the Canada Labour Code and directed an end to the stoppage. The CIRB ordered Air Canada to resume operations and for all flight attendants to return to duty by 2:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday. The arbitration procedure will be set out in the coming days and weeks.
What’s Next
Air Canada will contact customers whose flights were cancelled and who did not accept a refund or credit to provide new itineraries. Travelers are urged to use self-service tools and to avoid the airport unless their booking is confirmed and showing “operating.” Under Canada’s Air Passenger Protection Regulations, compensation for delays or cancellations generally does not apply to labour disruptions outside a carrier’s control; the airline says it will inform passengers of their rights and meet all regulatory obligations.
The Bottom Line
Flights are restarting, but the recovery will be uneven for about a week. Expect rolling cancellations and re-timings while aircraft and crews are repositioned—always check your flight status before leaving for the airport.
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