Updated: December 7, 2025 – 22:45 ET
Montreal – A 72-hour strike notice from Air Transat’s pilots has plunged thousands of Canadian travellers into uncertainty, with the airline preparing a gradual shutdown of its flight programme starting Monday.
What exactly has happened?
The union representing roughly 700–750 Air Transat pilots, the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), has served the company with a formal 72-hour strike notice. If no agreement is reached, pilots could legally walk off the job as early as Wednesday, December 10, right at the start of Canada’s peak winter-sun getaway season.
In response, Air Transat says it is obliged to launch a “gradual and orderly shutdown” of operations to avoid aircraft, crews and passengers being stranded abroad in the middle of a strike. The carrier has warned that flight cancellations will begin progressively from Monday, with a near-complete suspension by Tuesday night. Details are being updated on the airline’s official information hub, “Strike Notice at Air Transat”.
Why are the pilots threatening to strike?
The dispute follows months of tense negotiations over pay, scheduling and job security. Pilots argue that their current deal, negotiated before the pandemic, no longer reflects industry standards or the soaring cost of living. They are pushing for improved wages and better rules on rest and days off, bringing them closer to their counterparts at larger North American carriers.
Air Transat counters that it has already tabled what it calls a “generous” offer, including a significant salary increase and enhanced conditions, and has branded the strike notice “premature” given the progress at the table. The company stresses that it remains “fully committed” to reaching a negotiated settlement.
How will this affect Canadian passengers?
The immediate impact will be felt by passengers scheduled to fly on Monday and Tuesday, as flights are trimmed to reposition aircraft and bring home Canadians already abroad. Those heading for winter holidays in Mexico, the Caribbean or Europe face the prospect of last-minute cancellations, rebookings or outright refunds.
Air Transat says affected customers will be contacted directly and is offering a flexibility policy for near-term departures, allowing travellers to change or postpone trips without fees. Travellers are being urged to:
- Check their flight status on the website or mobile app before leaving for the airport.
- Ensure contact details in their booking are correct so the airline can send alerts.
- Keep receipts for hotels, meals and alternative transport in case compensation claims are needed later under Canadian air-passenger rules.
For those combining flights with major events — from NHL road trips to big football fixtures highlighted in recent Swikblog coverage such as the MLS Cup showdown in Vancouver — even a single cancelled leg could unravel carefully planned itineraries.
Could this still be avoided?
Both sides insist talks are continuing “around the clock”. Union leaders say there is still time to avoid a strike if Air Transat brings a deal that matches the wider market and offers long-term security. The airline, for its part, is keen to show regulators, investors and passengers that it is not walking away from negotiations.
But with the clock ticking towards Wednesday and cancellations already looming, the pressure is now squarely on the bargaining table in Montreal. For Canadians hoping to escape the winter chill, the next 72 hours will determine whether their holiday begins at the beach — or in a check-in queue, refreshing their inbox for another grim update.
Written by Swikblog Canada Desk.
