Air Canada says it hasn’t cancelled flights today over pilot talks, but some operations affected

Air Canada says some operations will start to be affected today as time is running out before a potential shutdown because of a labour dispute with its pilots, but noted it hadn’t cancelled any flights Friday in anticipation of a strike.

“At this point we have not cancelled any flights for today due to the disruption. In the event there are, customers will be notified if there are any changes to their travel,” a spokesperson for the airline told CBC News.

“There have been a small number of cancellations today, but these are unrelated to the disruption and due to other issues such as maintenance.”

The spokesperson said that the situation is evolving, and noted that Air Canada has stopped accepting certain cargo items, including live animals and perishables. Some services like vacation packages will start to be affected today, while a full shutdown could happen on Sept. 18.

The airline on Thursday called for the government to be ready to intervene to avoid major disruptions a shutdown would cause for its more than 110,000 travellers a day.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Friday it’s up to Air Canada and the union representing its pilots to reach an agreement to avoid disrupting travellers and businesses.

Speaking at an event in Saint-Anne-de-Bellevue, Que., Trudeau said he wouldn’t tip the scales toward either party, while dodging the question of whether he would force pilots back to work.

The airline and pilots will be in a position starting Sunday to issue 72-hour notice of a strike or lockout. The airline has said the notice would trigger its three-day wind-down plan and start the clock on a full work stoppage.

The airline says the union is being inflexible with “unreasonable wage demands.”

The union has said that it is corporate greed that’s holding up talks, as Air Canada continues to post record profits while expecting pilots to accept below-market compensation.