Travellers stuck at Edmonton airport amid Air Canada strike

Air Canada workers are seen striking at the Calgary International Airport on Aug. 17, 2025. (CTV News Calgary)

While Air Canada flight attendants continue to strike through the weekend, some travellers are in limbo at the Edmonton International Airport waiting for their flights to get rebooked.

The airline said flights would resume Sunday afternoon after a federal government return-to-work order was issued, but the Air Canada component of CUPE said it would not comply, leaving travellers stranded across the globe.

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Hiab Berhane was supposed to be on a flight Sunday to Kuwait.

“It’s been very worrying because we’re not sure whether we’re going to fly today or have to go home,” said Berhane. “I respect them trying to get better money if they’re not being paid well, so I’m not really upset about it, but it is slightly frustrating that it’s affecting our trip.”

Chuck Schamel was headed to Toronto from Vancouver, but is stuck in Edmonton for two days because of the strike. He said it’s been hectic trying to rebook his flight.

“It took hours to find an alternate airline because everybody in the world is trying to book with alternate airlines,” Schamel told CTV News Edmonton. “I’m in favour of organized labour. I hate that they have to do it but I’m on board with it.”

Matthew Sullivan is one of 1,200 frisbee athletes who were in Edmonton for the Canadian Ultimate Championships. He and his eight team members are in limbo as they seek flights to Windsor.

“There are a lot of players that are stuck in Edmonton right now trying to find a flight home,” said Sullivan. ”We’re just waiting it out – find a hotel, find an Airbnb – until things resolve and Air Canada contacts us.”

He said he hasn’t heard from Air Canada at all.

“They’re not sending messages whatsoever … more information would be great.”

Air Canada said flights will resume Monday.

But Brittany Thomas, the acting president of CUPE Local 4095 in Calgary, said they aren’t backing down.

“We are not obligated to return our workers back to work,” said Thomas. “At this point we have seen interference from the government and it is silencing our voice. We have a right to collective bargaining … we need a contract, not to be forced into arbitration.

“We don’t want to have members who can’t afford to live, can’t afford to eat. They live in cars and are at the Food Bank. That is not okay.”

With files from CTV News Edmonton’s Miriam Valdes-Carletti and Calgary’s Tyson Fedor.