If no agreement is reached, the strike could bring most Air Canada flights to a standstill by the weekend.
Air Canada says it will begin cancelling flights on Thursday, as it prepares for a potential work stoppage by its flight attendants set to begin Saturday.
The airline plans a gradual suspension of operations, with more cancellations on Friday and a complete halt to Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge flights by the weekend.
Flights operated by Air Canada Express carriers Jazz and PAL Airlines will continue to operate normally.
The move comes after the union representing about 10,000 flight attendants issued a 72-hour strike notice on Wednesday. In response, Air Canada issued a lockout notice to union members.
Air Canada says passengers whose flights are cancelled will be notified and eligible for full refunds.
The airline has also arranged with other Canadian and international carriers to offer alternative travel options where possible.
Negotiations between the airline and the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) have reached a standstill.
CUPE rejected Air Canada’s proposal to enter binding arbitration, saying it wants a negotiated deal that members can vote on.
The union argues arbitration would remove that democratic process and often relies on precedent, which it says works against its goals for change.
If no agreement is reached, the strike could bring most Air Canada flights to a standstill by the weekend, marking one of the largest labour disruptions in the airline’s recent history.
