‘How this has not worked out for us’: Winnipeg choir falls into Air Canada cancellation

A Winnipeg choir is grounded after their flight to an international festival was cancelled amid the ongoing Air Canada labour action. Harrison Shin has more.

“We were due to meet at the airport at 12:30.”

Michael Zakaluzny, co-director of Melos Folk Ensemble, explained his and his choir members’ initial travel plan. Thirty-one members were set to go airborne today, heading to Colombia to participate in an international folk festival. Instead, they gathered in a restaurant in Winnipeg – to debrief their sadness.

“We were given short notice by Air Canada that our flights were cancelled this morning,” Zakaluzny said.

Their flight from Toronto to Bogota was one of the 500 flights, disrupted due to labour action by flight attendants.

Zakaluzny said the cancellation meant disappointment.

“We had put in hours of preparation – we’d even prepared a Spanish song … to perform for the people in Colombia. We won’t be able to do that for them.”

The flag carrier is offering to refund or reschedule flights, but Gábor Lukács, president of the Air Passenger Rights, says that travellers should be strategic.

“If they tell you there are no other flights, don’t take a refund. Buy yourself a ticket for whatever destination you need, keep your receipts and expenses.

“Once you are done travelling, make Air Canada pay for it.”

In the ensemble’s case, their options are severely limited because of the size of the group and their international destination.

“Our travel agent was working on alternate routes. But obviously, in this situation – you have a lot of people scrambling for alternate routes.

“With a group of 31, it is pretty much impossible to pivot to something on short notice,” Zakaluzny explained.

Due to the limit, the choir is staying home for now – but, on Friday afternoon, they tried to have a good time by gathering in a restaurant in Winnipeg.

“This was the next best thing, I guess. A chance to have some food, some drinks, talk about our experience of how this has not worked out for us.”

In an email communication, Air Canada said the company regrets the impact on customers.

“Customers whose flights are cancelled are eligible for a full refund, which can be obtained online or through the Air Canada mobile app.

“While we have made arrangements with other Canadian and foreign carriers to provide customers alternate travel options to the extent possible, securing such capacity will take time and, in many cases, will not be immediately possible.”