YVR warns travellers of possible weekend flight disruptions amid Air Canada strike
Vancouver International Airport (YVR) is warning passengers to prepare for potential travel chaos this weekend as a labour dispute between Air Canada and its flight attendants heads toward a strike deadline.
Both the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), which represents 10,000 Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge flight attendants, and the airline have issued 72-hour notices – CUPE for a strike, and Air Canada for a lockout.
If no agreement is reached, flights could be disrupted starting at 9:58 p.m. PT on Friday, Aug. 15 (12:58 a.m. ET on Saturday, Aug. 16).
YVR is aware that both 72-hour strike notice and 72-hour lock-out notice have been served as part of contract negotiations between Air Canada and CUPE representing Air Canada flight attendants. More: https://t.co/QjinfVlDnL pic.twitter.com/D4hb1yhXO8
— YVR (@yvrairport) August 13, 2025
The union’s strike notice claims the carrier “refused to recognize that flight attendants should be paid for all their time on the job,” with proposals focused on wages, unpaid work, and industry-standard compensation.
According to a previous Daily Hive report, Air Canada, however, said it has negotiated in good faith for eight months, offered binding arbitration, and tabled a proposal on Aug. 11 that would boost total compensation by 38 per cent over four years, address ground pay, and improve pensions, benefits, and crew rest.
In response to the looming strike, Air Canada said it will begin a phased wind-down of most operations starting Wednesday, Aug. 14, to be completed within three days.
The airline has also sought government-directed arbitration to resolve the dispute.
YVR says it is urging both sides to settle at the bargaining table while preparing for potential travel impacts by increasing terminal staffing to assist passengers.
The airport is advising travellers booked on Air Canada to check flight status at aircanada.com before coming to the airport.
Air Canada Express flights operated by Jazz and PAL Airlines are expected to continue operating as normal.
YVR will post ongoing updates on its social media channels and at yvr.ca.
Travellers are encouraged to arrive early at the airport and have backup travel plans in place, especially during peak travel hours.
Those with connecting flights should check whether their itineraries involve Air Canada-operated segments that could be affected by the labour action.
With files from Isabelle Docto