Air Canada strike could ‘devastate’ the economy of this Canadian province, warns politician

'Already, we've heard from tourism operators who are dealing with cancellations, and this is only the beginning,' Tony Wakeham said in a statement to the National Post

Published Sep 12, 2024  •  3 minute read

Baggage handlers unload a plane at Toronto Pearson Airport Terminal 1, Friday August 30, 2024. Air Canada pilots are preparing to strike as early as September 17. Photo by Peter J. Thompson /National Post

A possible Air Canada strike could “devastate” the economy in Newfoundland and Labrador, according to N.L. PC Opposition leader Tony Wakeham.

Wakeham, who is the MHA for Stephenville – Port au Port, posted on social media on Thursday about the hardships that the eastern province would face if Air Canada pilots were to strike.

“Air disruptions could devastate our economy and others across Canada,” he said.

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In a statement to the National Post, Wakeham said that the federal government must act decisively to prevent any disruptions in this vital service.

“Already, we’ve heard from tourism operators who are dealing with cancellations, and this is only the beginning. Our tourism sector, still recovering from the challenges of the past few years, cannot afford further setbacks,” he said via email on Thursday.

“For many communities in Newfoundland and Labrador, especially those in more remote areas, Air Canada plays a vital role in transporting rotational workers, business travellers, and cargo to and from our province. If we can’t get people and supplies in and out reliably, the economic ripple effect will be significant, affecting jobs, businesses, and livelihoods across the province.”

There are roughly 20,000 people in the province who have jobs in the tourism industry, according to non-profit group Hospitality Newfoundland and Labrador (HNL). Those people make up almost 10 per cent of the province’s entire workforce.

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“There are over 2,400 tourism businesses in the province — 78 per cent of which are small businesses. Together, the tourism industry contributes $1.2 billion annually to the provincial economy,” per an HNL news release posted in 2023.

In 2021, there were 181,305 non-resident visitors and 116,634 of them travelled to the province by air at one of its seven airports, according to federal tourism department.

Exactly when the strike will happen is not certain; however, it could be as soon as Sept. 17, which means the required 72 hours’ notice would come over the weekend. Pilots voted in favour of a strike to modernize their contracts and achieve “fair compensation, respectable retirement benefits, and quality-of-life improvements,” their union, Air Line Pilots Association, said in a news release.

Air Canada pilots hold signs during an informational picket at Vancouver International Airport on Aug. 27. Photo by Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press

‘We will miss the funeral’: Air Canada passengers panic over possible strike

On social media, people are sharing how a possible strike could affect them.

In response to the airline’s post on X about preparing for an “orderly shutdown to mitigate customer impact,” one person said that they were relying on Air Canada flights to attend a funeral.

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“I’m begging you to please not strike,” wrote one X user with the handle @otchere_rachel.

“We are supposed to be traveling the 29th for a family funeral and 3/6 of our flights are with you. If you strike, you leave us no time to rebook and we will miss the funeral we’ve been saving so hard to get to. Please think of your customers!”

Another X user @Klosaro vowed to never fly with the airline again after spending his vacation “trying to figure out how … to get home.”

Another person said they had been planning a trip for months and hoped a strike could be avoided.

“The impact of cancelled flights on our other downstream bookings for our trip next week will be massive,” said user @Hazmatt.

One person said it had been eight years since he saw his family in the United Kingdom and Canada. He booked a trip from New Zealand on Air Canada. On X, user @AlasdairLean said he was 100 per cent “in favour of fair pay, but the human impacts are far more costly.”

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Rebookings and refunds: What will happen if Air Canada does go on strike?

In case of labour action, all Air Canada flights will be cancelled. Ticket holders will be eligible for a full refund regardless of the fare type.

Air Canada has said it will notify its customers within 48 hours of the scheduled departure time if their flight is cancelled and rebook them on another flight, depending on available seats. They will be rebooked on another partner or competitor airline within 48 hours of the original departure time.

No additional compensation other than the rebooking, such as food or accommodation, is offered in a strike situation, which the airline deems out of its control.

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With additional reporting by Canadian Press

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