The airline industry has faced considerable disruption in 2025, and with the Air Transat workers’ strike, Canada is in for another round of flight-related challenges. Following a strike notice issued by pilots at Air Transat, the airline carrier is expected to gradually suspend flights between December 8 and 9 in preparation for the strike that is set to begin on December 10. The strike notice was issued by ALPA, the union that represents the company’s 700 pilots, and it comes as contract negotiations continue between the company and the union.
The Air Transat flight cancellations aren’t the first time that flights have been reduced due to striking staff. Air Canada union workers conducted their own strike earlier this year, demanding a better contract for the flight attendants who keep the entire flying process hospitable. What does Canada’s pilot strike entail this time?
The Air Transat union strike in 2025 is a result of slow progress on contract negotiations with the ALPA, the union representing the pilots. (Image: Freepik)
Air Transat Union Strike 2025: The Planes Don’t Go Anywhere Without Their Pilots
Amidst ongoing contract negotiations, the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) issued a strike notice to Air Transat, giving the company a 72-hour window to prepare for the potential pilot walkout. About 99% of the over 700 Air Transat pilots voted to authorize the strike. According to Reuters, the union members are expected to begin their strike as early as 3 AM ET on December 10, 2025. The announcement has caused considerable chaos within the company as well as among travellers, many of whom are unsure of how this will affect their travel plans.
Many citizens have spoken out about customer rights and the compensation that is owed to those with booked tickets to fly in the coming weeks. Despite the decision to act early and start gradually suspending flights to ensure there are no last-minute issues for travellers, there is still some uncertainty on how the Air Transat union strike will affect fliers. With the holiday season right around the corner, this marks a prime period for travel, whether towards home or away from it.
Why Is Air Transat Facing a Union Strike?
Contract negotiations between the company and the union have reportedly been ongoing for almost a year. Air Transat referred to the decision to strike as “premature,” adding that the two parties have already made significant progress in their negotiations, with generous offers being placed on the table. This includes a proposed 59% increase in salary over five years and changes to the working conditions for its employees.
Members of the union feel differently. “No pilot wants to strike, but Air Transat management has left us no choice,” Captain Bradley Small, a leader for a smaller group within the union, told the BBC. “Months of unproductive bargaining ends now. If we cannot reach an agreement, management will be responsible for every cancelled flight and stranded passenger.“
There is a small possibility that matters could be resolved before the Air Transat union strike of 2025 unfolds, but given the narrow timelines and the preparations being made to accommodate the strike, this appears unlikely. There are currently no reports on just how the strike will take shape and for how long it is expected to continue. The company has previously managed to avert a strike in 2024 when flight dispatchers had threatened to strike, but things appear to be more complicated this time around.
The Airlines Industry Has Witnessed Many Challenges in 2025
The Air Transat strike isn’t the first time Canada has faced issues in air travel in 2025. Flight attendants at Air Canada initiated a strike earlier this year, ignoring a return-to-work mandate from the Canadian Industrial Relations Board to continue their protests. While a tentative deal has now been reached and work has resumed, the impact has been significant.
In the US, Spirit Airlines’ second bankruptcy filing has gained attention, while American Airlines has been encumbered by layoffs. The US government shutdown also briefly impacted air travel in the region, with uncertainties reigning regarding pay. Matters have been resolved to a degree, but the resentments haven’t been fully abated.
Flights of a popular airline in India, Indigo, are currently facing disruptions due to the company’s failure to meet government mandates on pilot operations. The issue at the heart of the matter is different from the problems faced by Air Transat, but it does lead us back to the conversation on the demanding nature of the work that pilots perform.
The Air Transat flight cancellations may be an annoyance for travellers, but the sentiment behind the strike is one worth understanding. When employers and employees stand at a crossroads with each other, there are many unintended effects that occur, shifting both current business performance and the reputation of the employer moving forward. How Air Transat handles the strike and the fallout will have a significant impact on the business and its relationship with employees long-term.
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