Air Canada and the union representing its flight attendants have reached a tentative deal to end a strike that began on Saturday morning.
Flights to and from Prince George Airport (YXS) under the Air Canada brand weren't affected by the strike, as they are operated by Jazz Aviation LP under the Air Canada Express banner. Those flights continue to operate as scheduled.
Air Canada said the first flights are scheduled for Tuesday evening, but cautioned that the return to full, regular service may require seven to 10 days as aircraft and crew are out of position and that some flights will continue to be cancelled until the schedule is stabilized.
“Only customers with confirmed bookings whose flights are shown as operating should go to the airport,” the airline said.
Air Canada said it will offer options to those with cancelled flights, including a full refund or receiving a credit for future travel. It will also offer to rebook customers on other airlines where possible.
However, connections to Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge at larger airports, including Vancouver, Calgary and Edmonton, were affected.
The two sides met through the night with a federal mediator before reaching a tentative agreement that will be brought to members of the Air Canada component of the Canadian Union of Public Employees.
“Your right to vote on your wages was preserved,” the union said in a post on its website announcing the end of the strike.
The union also said it must advise that members must “fully co-operate with resumption of operations.”
In a statement, the union said the tentative deal would end the practice of unpaid work by flight attendants when airplanes aren't in the air. It added the agreement also achieves "transformational change for our industry after a historic fight to affirm our charter rights."
With files from The Canadian Press
