Relief for UAE travellers as Air Canada strike ends, flights to resume

Dubai: The conclusion of the Air Canada flight attendants’ strike has brought a sigh of relief for travellers in the UAE, whose plans were severely disrupted. The week-long labour dispute, which also led to the cancellation of flights between Toronto and Dubai, has now ended with a tentative agreement, paving the way for a gradual return to normal service.

The airline, after reaching an agreement with the irate workers, announced that it would resume flights on Tuesday evening. Globally, the strike was affecting about 130,000 travellers a day at the peak of the summer travel season, according to a BBC report.

Air Canada had been forced to cancel flights since last Saturday after its union of 10,000 flight attendants rejected a request for government-directed arbitration. The union had been advocating for better wages and compensation for unpaid work, a key issue that was addressed in the new tentative deal.

Air Canada operates daily flights between Toronto and Dubai International Airport (DXB). Flights to Toronto from Dubai were cancelled, including the daily flight on Tuesday (Flight AC057).

Canada – a popular travel destination for UAE residents, especially students - has forced passengers to reconsider their options, according to travel agents.

Afi Ahmad, Chairman of Smart Travels, said, “Canada is a very popular destination for families and students. Several parents in the UAE send their children to Canada for higher education.”

He added, “The week-long strike upended some travel plans, especially this time of the year, as it is very close to the start of the academic year and the end of the school holidays. Many parents plan to go with their kids in advance and help settle them. Fortunately, this can resume.” Also, most major UAE carriers and regional carriers (Emirates, Etihad, and Qatar Airways) have operations to Canada.

In some cases, the parents rebooked flights on other airlines, according to travel agents.

While the agreement brings positive news, a full return to regular operations will not be immediate. Air Canada CEO Michael Rousseau stated that restoring a primary carrier’s schedule is a complex undertaking and could take seven to 10 days, as aircraft and crew are relocated from their original positions.

Passengers are being advised to check their flight status on the airline’s website or mobile app before heading to the airport. The airline has stated that some flights will continue to be cancelled over the coming days as the schedule is stabilised.

The strike also highlighted the close aviation ties between the two regions, particularly through the strategic partnership between Air Canada and Emirates. This codeshare agreement, which allows for seamless travel and shared loyalty benefits, meant that passengers could also feel the strike’s ripple effects on connecting itineraries.

While Emirates’ flights to Canada continued as scheduled, travellers on a single ticket for connecting flights through Air Canada faced significant uncertainty.

For those impacted, Air Canada is also offering options, including a full refund or a travel credit. The airline is also working to rebook customers on other carriers, though seat availability remains limited due to the peak summer travel season.