Air Canada gives options to customers travelling near strike deadline

Air Canada is offering passengers who have flights booked around the date of a possible strike next month some flexibility.

The airline says some progress has been made in negotiations, but it still faces the possibility of a pilot strike as early as Sept. 17.

The pilots’ union has not set an official date, though members have voted overwhelmingly in favour of a strike mandate, should talks fall through.

The Air Line Pilots Association, representing some 5,400 aviators, says the vote passed by 98 per cent.

The union’s Air Canada contingent says this vote sends a “clear message” that pilots are willing to take job action if the two parties are unable to secure a new contract deal.

Air Canada is now saying customers booked to fly between Sept. 15 and 23 can rebook on any other Air Canada flight with the same origin and destination, up until the end of November, at no additional cost.

Travellers also have the option of cancelling their September flight in exchange for a credit for future use.

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