Air Transat passengers are facing a second straight day of travel uncertainty as the airline warns it may suspend all flights by the end of the day, with a potential pilots’ strike just hours away. The Air Line Pilots Association, representing 750 Air Transat pilots, issued a 72-hour strike notice over the weekend, setting the stage for a possible work stoppage as early as 3 a.m. ET on Wednesday.
Transat A.T. Inc., the airline’s parent company, said cancellations would increase throughout Monday in preparation for the looming strike. Air Transat currently operates more than 500 flights a week to popular sun destinations across the Caribbean, Mexico and Europe, carrying tens of thousands of Canadian travellers.
To avoid stranding customers abroad, the airline added four extra flights on Monday to bring home passengers originally scheduled to return Wednesday. Many travellers rushed to adjust their plans as negotiations continued.
Ruth Richardson, travelling from Toronto to Punta Cana, said her travel agent informed her of the possible disruption and even offered to cancel the trip, but she chose to proceed. “We’re both retired, so if we get a couple more days, then we do,” she said, unfazed by the uncertainty.
Kate and Kyle Kelly, travelling with their two young children, also headed to Punta Cana after waking up to headlines suggesting both sides were still at the bargaining table. The couple admitted they were initially worried their trip might be cancelled but felt some relief knowing negotiations were still active. They just hope to avoid the stress and potential costs of rebooking flights or extending their stay unexpectedly.
Kyle said he reviewed Canada’s passenger rights before leaving. “I feel a little more confident that Air Transat keeps up their end of the bargain,” he said. Kate added that much of the situation remains “out of our control.”
Negotiations continue as the clock ticks down, with thousands of passengers waiting to see whether departures will continue — or come to a standstill — by day’s end.