Canada’s holiday travel season is facing a major shakeup as Air Transat begins cancelling flights today, with a full-scale shutdown possible by December 10 following a strike notice from the union representing the airline’s 750 pilots.
The Air Line Pilots Association issued a 72-hour strike notice on December 7, opening the door for walkouts to begin as early as Wednesday if no agreement is reached. The notice forces Air Transat to activate a sweeping contingency plan that includes a gradual, orderly suspension of operations—starting Monday and intensifying over the next two days.
The airline has warned travellers to expect delays, schedule changes, and cancellations as the situation develops. Transat A.T. Inc., the company behind the leisure carrier, says round-the-clock negotiations in Montreal have been underway for the past week as both sides push to avoid a shutdown just as the peak holiday travel period begins.
Air Transat acknowledged the growing uncertainty for passengers and says it is committed to transparent communication and offering support while bargaining continues. Still, the company stresses that the strike notice requires immediate operational adjustments.
Travellers already abroad may see their return flights affected first if the strike takes hold, while those with upcoming departures are urged to closely monitor flight status and prepare for potential disruptions beginning December 10.
Negotiations remain active, but unless a breakthrough is reached before the deadline, Canada could see significant domestic and international flight disruptions within days—marking one of the most consequential labour disputes for holiday travel in recent years.
This merged report includes information from The Canadian Press and insauga, first published December 7–8, 2025.