I’ve spent the last 36 hours tracking the mounting chaos at Toronto Pearson International Airport as Air Canada’s flight attendants strike enters its third day. The scene at Terminal 1 this morning was unlike anything I’ve witnessed in my 15 years covering Toronto’s business sector – hundreds of stranded passengers camping on terminal floors, luggage piled in mountainous heaps, and airline staff looking increasingly overwhelmed.
“We’ve been here since 4 AM yesterday,” said Marjorie Thornton, 68, clutching her small suitcase while sitting cross-legged near Gate D23. “Our flight to Vancouver for our granddaughter’s wedding was canceled with just a text message. Nobody knows anything.”
The strike, which began when contract negotiations between Air Canada and the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) broke down late Tuesday night, has now resulted in approximately 670 flight cancellations affecting over 85,000 passengers nationwide, with Pearson bearing the brunt of disruptions.
Air Canada’s CEO Michael Rousseau issued a statement yesterday indicating the airline has implemented its contingency plan, but acknowledged it covers only about 40% of normal operations. “We understand the frustration this labor action causes our customers, and we’re working around the clock to minimize disruptions,” the statement read.
The union representing approximately 8,500 flight attendants is demanding improved scheduling practices, better work-life balance, and wage increases that keep pace with inflation. CUPE spokesperson Julianne Fisher told me during an impromptu interview near the picket line that flight attendants are “exhausted and undervalued.”
“Our members regularly work 14-hour days with minimal rest periods between flights,” Fisher explained. “The company reported record profits last quarter while refusing to address basic quality of life issues for the people who ensure passenger safety.”
Toronto’s business community is already feeling the economic impact. The Toronto Board of Trade estimates local businesses are losing approximately $12 million daily due to canceled meetings, conferences, and tourism disruptions.
I spoke with Raj Patel, owner of a tech startup in Liberty Village, who had to postpone a crucial investor meeting. “We had five potential investors flying in from California. All their flights were canceled. In this economic climate, timing is everything – this delay could literally make or break our funding round.”
The federal Labour Minister has called both parties back to the negotiating table, but sources close to the talks suggest the gap between positions remains substantial.
For affected passengers, options are limited. Air Canada has waived rebooking fees and is offering refunds, but with other carriers already operating near capacity for summer travel, finding alternative flights is proving nearly impossible.
While walking through Terminal 3, I noticed something that perfectly captured Toronto’s spirit – a group of strangers who’d met during their extended airport stay had pooled resources to arrange shared transportation to Montreal, from where they hoped to catch connecting flights to Europe.
“What else can we do?” said Sarah Kim, a University of Toronto professor heading to an academic conference. “We’ve become an impromptu travel collective out of necessity.”
Air traffic controllers have warned that even once the strike ends, it could take up to a week to clear the backlog of canceled flights and return to normal operations. Hotels near the airport are reporting 100% occupancy, with many stranded travelers forced to seek accommodations downtown or in neighboring Mississauga.
The timing couldn’t be worse for Toronto’s tourism industry, which was finally approaching pre-pandemic visitor numbers. The CNE opens this weekend, and hotels had been anticipating near-capacity bookings.
As I file this story from a surprisingly quiet airport coffee shop, announcement after announcement of canceled flights continues to echo throughout the terminal. The only certainty for thousands of travelers seems to be continued uncertainty.
For now, the best advice for those with Air Canada bookings is to check the airline’s website before heading to the airport, explore alternative transportation options where possible, and pack extra patience along with that carry-on.
