Air Canada Strikes Deal With Pilots' Union To Avert Strike

Air Canada has reached a tentative, last-minute deal with its pilots' union over a new four-year collective agreement, the airline said, ending a standoff over pay and benefits and averting a near-term strike or lockout, Gnaneshwar Rajan reported for Reuters.

Air Canada said the terms of its new agreement with the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) will remain confidential pending a ratification vote by members. I Photo: Air Canada Facebook

The airline, which is Canada's largest, was preparing to progressively cancel flights over three days and to completely shut down its operations as early as Sept. 18. Flights will now run as usual.

Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge operate nearly 670 flights per day, carrying about 110,000 daily passengers as well as freight.

Air Canada said the terms of its new agreement with the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), which represents more than 5,200 pilots, will remain confidential pending a ratification vote by members, expected to be completed over the next month.

"The new agreement recognizes the contributions and professionalism of Air Canada's pilot group, while providing a framework for the future growth of the airline," the carrier said in a statement.