by Natasha Lair
Last updated: 9:50 AM ET, Tue December 9, 2025
1:30 PM update
"Air Transat wishes to provide an update regarding negotiations with the union representing our pilots. Improved offers have been submitted in the past few hours, along with significant concessions, reflecting our determination to find common ground.
However, in the absence of an agreement at this time, we are compelled and regret to proceed with the cancellation of a second wave of flights scheduled for today."
We remain at the bargaining table and still hope to reach an agreement during the day to minimize further disruptions to operations, for our passengers and their travel plans. Our priority remains the same: bringing our travellers back home."
Original story
Air Transat passengers are bracing for major disruption today, with the airline warning it may suspend all flights by day’s end after the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) issued a 72-hour strike notice over the weekend.
The union, which represents roughly 750 Air Transat pilots, could legally begin strike action as early as 3 a.m. ET on Wednesday.
Transat A.T. Inc., the airline’s parent company, said it will begin ramping up cancellations in advance of a possible work stoppage.
RELATED: Air Transat Pilots Issue 72-Hour Strike Notice, Airline Begins Gradual Shutdown Plan
In an effort to reduce the number of passengers who could be stranded abroad, Air Transat added four extra flights on Monday to bring home customers originally scheduled to return on Wednesday.
“Strike notice is premature”
In a statement, Air Transat said ALPA rejected a proposed 59% salary increase over five years, calling the union’s expectations “unreasonable.”
Julie Lamontagne, Chief Human Resources, Corporate Responsibility and Communications Officer, said the notice was issued despite “significant progress” in bargaining.
“This strike notice is premature given the progress made at the bargaining table and the generous offers made by Air Transat… Despite these efforts, ALPA has shown no openness, and the discussions have not led to an agreement.”
She added that choosing the path of a strike “at this time of year” is a “reckless decision” with consequences for customers, employees, and the company.
ALPA published a response on Facebook reading, "Any statement from Air Transat that it has proposed massive pay increases is inaccurate. If the company offered a contract with a 59% pay raise, we would most definitely consider it."
Negotiations ‘Continuing Intensively,’ Airline Says
In a statement provided to TravelPulse Canada Tuesday morning, Air Transat said negotiations have resumed and that it is pushing hard to reach a deal before the strike deadline.
“Air Transat wishes to inform its customers and the public that negotiations with the union representing our pilots are continuing intensively. Improved offers were made last evening, and discussions are resuming this morning. We are working tirelessly and still hope to reach an agreement today in order to minimize disruptions to operations and our passengers.”
The airline added: “We reaffirm the generous nature of our increased offer and call on the union to show openness and take a step toward us.”
Air Transat said its priority “remains unchanged: bringing our travelers home and minimizing the impact on their travel plans.”
Cancellations Continue as Deadline Approaches
With the strike window fast approaching, Air Transat says flight cancellations will escalate, with a potential full suspension if no agreement is reached.
Operational Update
- Yesterday and today, we implemented a special program allowing us to bring back as many travelers as possible by deploying additional flights and adding capacity on other routes. As a result, travelers who were scheduled to travel on December 10 will have returned home thanks to this repatriation operation.
- We regret to announce that we must begin cancelling certain flights. The list of affected flights is published on our website.
The airline has implemented a flexibility policy allowing customers travelling within the next five days to change or postpone their flights at no additional cost.
"These measures could change quickly if a tentative agreement is reached with the union. We invite our customers to regularly check our dedicated page airtransat.com/strike for real-time updates."
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