Air Transat begins gradual shutdown as pilots issue 72-hour strike notice

EDITOR'S NOTE: Air Transat reached a tentative agreement with the ALPA on Tuesday night (Dec. 9), averting a strike. Click here for details.

The union representing Air Transat’s pilots, the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), informed the airline of a strike notice on December 7, which may be exercised within 72 hours.

This means the strike could officially begin on December 10.

“Our flight operations will be disrupted until an agreement is reached,” Air Transat wrote in a notice posted to its website Sunday morning (Dec. 7).

The notice also means Air Transat will begin a “gradual and orderly shutdown” of its operations over the next three days.

“We understand that this situation may cause uncertainty and concern. Our priority is to remain transparent, to support you, and to answer any questions you may have,” the airline said, noting that “negotiations are ongoing.”

“Our goal remains to reach an agreement so we can maintain our flights as much as possible and minimize disruptions for you.”

The suspensions will begin Monday (Dec. 8), followed by a "complete suspension" on Tuesday (Dec. 9), the airline later told CBC News. 

The company will also begin repatriating passengers "to prevent them from being stranded abroad if the strike occurs." 

"The goal is to bring back everyone to their point of origin," the airline said.

According to FlightConnections.com, Air Transat services 10 domestic destinations and 63 international destinations in 33 countries. 

The airline's flights are mainly to Europe, the Caribbean, the east coast of the United States, South America and North Africa.

What does the strike mean if you (or your client) are currently in a destination?

What does it mean if you have an upcoming departure?

Click here to read Air Transat’s FAQ.

Flexible rebooking

Earlier this week, Air Transat’s 750 pilots voted 99 per cent in favour of a strike mandate.

“Let us be clear, we do not want to strike. Our goal remains to reach an equitable agreement at the negotiating table,” said Small. “However, after nearly a year of slow bargaining and little progress, we urge management to utilize the remaining time and negotiate seriously to avoid operational and flight disruptions,” said Capt. Bradley Small, Air Transat MEC chair in a statement.

Air Transat customers wishing to cancel or modify their reservation may do so according to the terms and conditions of their fare class.

If customers are booked to travel within the next five days, they will be able to cancel their booking and obtain a credit on their file, valid for 12 months.

“For all travel on or after December 13, the terms and conditions of their fare class apply,” the airline said.

If clients choose to cancel for a credit, commission will be paid to travel advisors on the original file if it was paid in full, the airline said.

Negotiations between the airline and the pilots' union started in January and both sides entered conciliation in September.

The November 18 deadline passed without an agreement, triggering a 21-day cooling-off period scheduled to conclude on December 10.

The union is pushing for improved wages and working conditions, noting that the current agreement dates back to 2015. 

On Sunday morning, the carrier described the strike notice as “premature,” adding that it remains confident a deal can be reached. 

Meanwhile, Air Canada’s 5,200 pilots recently secured a contract that includes pay increases of 42 per cent over four years.

Don't miss a single travel story: subscribe to PAX today!  Click here to follow PAX on Facebook.