Montreal: Air Canada has announced that it has reached a tentative four-year collective agreement with the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), which represents over 5,200 pilots at both Air Canada and its low-cost subsidiary, Air Canada Rouge.
The agreement comes after months of negotiations and concerns over potential labour disruptions that could have affected thousands of passengers.
Although the terms of the new agreement remain confidential pending approval, it is seen as a key step toward ensuring stability in operations for the country's largest airline.
The pilots will now vote on the agreement, with the ratification process expected to conclude within the next month. Following the vote, the agreement will also require approval from Air Canada’s Board of Directors.
The tentative deal averts travel disruptions for the 670 daily flights on average operated by Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge, and the travel of more than 110,000 passengers.
Airline operations unaffected
Despite earlier concerns over possible pilot strikes, Air Canada has reassured passengers that operations at both Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge have continued as normal. In anticipation of potential labour action, the airline introduced a “labour disruption goodwill policy” for customers, allowing them to change flights originally scheduled between September 15 and 23, 2024, at no cost.
Now that the agreement is tentatively in place, customers who had used the policy can revert to their original flights, providing there is space available in the same cabin. Air Canada has encouraged customers to consult its website for further information on bookings and potential changes.
Labour dispute and growing tensions
The negotiation process between Air Canada and ALPA has been fraught with contention. Over the past year, Air Canada pilots have expressed frustration over pay scales, working conditions, and scheduling issues, particularly in the wake of soaring demand for air travel.
The airline, facing a pilot shortage and rising operational costs, had been under pressure to address pilot grievances while ensuring its financial stability.
ALPA, representing pilots across North America, has pushed for improvements in pilot compensation, citing increasing workloads and a global shortage of skilled pilots as leverage. The union has warned of the possibility of strikes if these concerns are not adequately addressed, leading to heightened tensions between Air Canada management and the pilot group.
Earlier this year, ALPA initiated demonstrations, and pilots voiced their concerns publicly about being overworked and underpaid, especially as the airline industry rebounds from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Air Canada’s pilots also pointed to deals secured by pilots at other major North American airlines, demanding similar improvements in wages and benefits.
Sigh of relief amidst looming danger
The broader aviation industry has also seen a rise in labour activism, with pilots and other airline workers demanding better conditions amid record profits for airlines. The agreement with Air Canada is part of a larger trend where airlines are conceding to union demands to avoid operational disruptions.
Should this deal fail to satisfy the pilots' expectations, there remains a risk of further unrest. But for now, Air Canada can breathe a sigh of relief as its pilots prepare to vote on the agreement.
For more information, customers are encouraged to visit www.aircanada.com/action for updates and booking changes.