Tentative Deal Averts Air Canada Pilot Strike

Air Canada and its pilots' union have reached a tentative four-year collective agreement, preventing a potential strike or lockout. The agreement, which remains confidential pending a ratification vote, comes after 15 months of negotiations. The union sought wage increases to close the pay gap with U.S. counterparts.

In a significant development, Air Canada announced early Sunday that it has reached a tentative agreement with its pilots' union over a new four-year collective agreement. This last-minute deal averts a near-term strike or lockout that could have disrupted operations.

Before the agreement, Canada's largest airline was preparing to progressively cancel flights over three days, with a complete shutdown planned from 12:01 a.m. EDT on Wednesday, Sept. 18. Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge operate nearly 670 daily flights, carrying approximately 110,000 passengers and freight. Operations will now continue as normal.

The terms of the new agreement with the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), representing over 5,200 pilots, will remain confidential until the ratification vote is completed within the next month. Labour Minister Steve MacKinnon credited the hard work of the parties and federal mediators for preventing travel disruptions.

(With inputs from agencies.)