Air Canada ‘disruptions have already begun’ ahead of strike notice deadline

globalnews.ca:

Air Canada and its pilots to reach an agreement in their labour dispute ahead of a looming shutdown that could upend air travel for thousands of passengers.Some disruptions have already begun as a midnight deadline is fast approaching for the national carrier and the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), which represents 5,200 Air Canada pilots.Both sides remain far apart on negotiations and if a settlement is not reached by 12:01 a.m.

ET on Sunday, either Air Canada or the ALPA could issue a 72-hour strike or lockout notice.Air Canada told Global News on Saturday that it remains “engaged with the union to reach a new collective agreement.”However, in preparation for a shutdown, the airline has started to curtail its services.“We have begun taking some measures, including limiting certain types of cargo shipments, such as perishables, and adjusting some aircraft flying schedules to have them positioned properly in event of a wind down,” Air Canada said in an emailed statement.“Although our preparations for a possible suspension of operations continue, we have not yet cancelled any flights.”The airline said that once the winddown begins, it cannot avoid disruptions “for several days even if a settlement occurs quickly.”Air Canada has urged the federal government to be ready to intervene if the talks with the pilots’ union fail.“With talks nearing an impasse and time for negotiation running out, the travel plans of hundreds of thousands of Canadians are hanging in the balance,” Michael Rousseau, president and chief executive of Air Canada, said in a statement on Thursday.“We are taking all measures to mitigate any impact, but the reality is even a short work stoppage at Air Canada could, given the complexity of our business