Air Transat starts cancelling flights as potential full shutdown looms on Wednesday
December 8, 2025
Air Transat plans to halt flights this week after its pilots issued a 72-hour strike notice on Sunday.
In a message to customers, the airline said the union’s action meant it was obliged to plan “the gradual and orderly shutdown of our operations over the next three days” and warned that flight schedules would be disrupted until a deal is reached.
The strike notice was delivered on 7 December, placing the earliest possible strike at 03:00 ET on Wednesday.
The company told passengers it understood the situation “may cause uncertainty and concern”, adding: “Our priority is to remain transparent, to support you, and to answer any questions you may have.”
While negotiations are still underway, the carrier said its goal was “to reach an agreement so we can maintain our flights as much as possible and minimise disruptions for you.”
Air Transat pilots set to walk out on Wednesday
The dispute centres on pay, working conditions and job security.
The Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), which represents around 750 Air Transat pilots, has been bargaining for nearly a year to replace a contract last signed in 2015.
The union says its members want “industry-standard pay, benefits, work rules, and job security” and last week voted 99% in favour of authorising strike action.
Union representatives were critical of the airline following the strike notice.
“No pilot wants to strike, but Air Transat management has left us no choice,” said Capt Bradley Small, who chairs the pilots’ group within ALPA.
“Months of unproductive bargaining end now. If we cannot reach an agreement, management will be responsible for every cancelled flight and stranded passenger.”
Air Transat has rejected the suggestion that talks have stalled. Julie Lamontagne, the airline’s human resources chief, described the strike notice as “premature”, given what she said was clear movement at the negotiating table.
She was quoted by the BBC as saying the airline has been bargaining “in good faith” and accused the union of a “reckless decision” that “does not reflect the state of negotiations”.
Air Transat begins to cancel flights
Despite the lack of a final breakdown, Air Transat said it would begin cancelling services to avoid aircraft and crews becoming stuck overseas if pilots stop work.
The winding down of services began on Monday, with the airline warning that all flying could be suspended by 9 December to ensure passengers abroad can be repatriated.
The move mirrors the approach taken by Air Canada during its cabin crew strike earlier this year, when that airline opted to ground aircraft in stages rather than risk a sudden collapse of the schedule.
At the time, Air Canada argued that an orderly stand-down was the only way to avoid “chaos” across its network, particularly on long-haul services.
For Air Transat, the immediate priority is the tens of thousands of passengers travelling in the run-up to Christmas.
The airline has issued detailed guidance advising customers booked on flights up to 12 December to check their status 48 hours before departure.
Anyone whose flight is cancelled will be notified by email, refunded automatically, and offered the chance to rebook.
Those already abroad are being given specific instructions on how to manage changes.
The carrier says it is working to position crews and aircraft to bring passengers home even if the strike proceeds.
Under Canada’s air passenger regulations, refunds – whether cash, credit or voucher – must be issued within 30 days.
Uncertain outlook for winter travel
Talks between the sides are continuing, and both insist they want a negotiated settlement before Wednesday’s deadline. However, with the carrier now shutting down services, the risk of widespread disruption is rising.
Any extended strike could cause a significant spike in demand for seats on other carriers during the peak holiday period, a scenario that could echo the knock-on effects seen during Air Canada’s industrial dispute.
Featured image: Matthijs van Wageningen
