YYC passengers worry about Air Canada flight cancellations

Air Canada says it will start cancelling flights Thursday as it faces a potential strike by flight attendants on Saturday.

Air Canada will begin cancelling flights on Thursday.

All Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge flights will be grounded by Saturday.

Air Canada Express flights won’t be impacted.

This has caused turbulent times at Calgary International Airport as passengers board flights.

“I was up most of the night worried about how we’re going to get home on Monday,” said Emily Halliday.

She changed her return flight from Toronto to WestJet.

“It was very expensive, but we need to be back in Calgary, and we don’t have time to drive back, so we’re stuck,” said Halliday.

The decision to start cancelling flights follows a 72-hour strike notice from the union representing 10,000 flight attendants.

Air Canada issues a lockout notice for early Saturday morning.

The country’s largest airline says it reached an impasse in talks after the union declined to enter a binding arbitration process.

The key issues are wages, work rules and unpaid hours.

In an online statement, Air Canada says customers whose flights are cancelled can get a full refund.

However, one air passenger rights advocate suggests you need to know your rights so you don’t get taken advantage of.

“As long as the strike has not begun, any cancellation attributed even to the intention to strike is a business decision by the airline,” said Gabor Lukacs.

“What passengers are owed in such situations are meals, accommodation, lump sum compensation up to $1,000 and rebooking on either Air Canada’s own or partner airlines to depart within nine hours of the original departure time. If it is not feasible, then Air Canada has to buy them a ticket on a competitor airline’s next available flight.”

He doesn’t want passengers to incur expenses ahead of cancellations.

“If their flight is cancelled, they shouldn’t accept a refund from Air Canada. They should insist on their right to rebook. If Air Canada refuses to rebook them, then they should buy a ticket with a competitor and insist Air Canada pay for the cost of the ticket, not just the refund,” said Lukacs.

“The refund may be a cheap way for Air Canada to avoid rebooking passengers and providing alternative transportation. Don’t let them off the hook that quickly.”

Approximately 130,000 customers fly Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge daily, according to the company.

It’s likely these cancellations will create ripple effects in the industry.

“We currently have no plans to adjust our operations, but in situations where there is an uncontrollable impact to Canadian air travel, WestJet will explore opportunities to support Canadians wherever possible,” said Josh Yeats, WestJet spokesperson.