Air Transat strike: Canadian airline prepares for possible shutdown

Air Transat is preparing for major disruption after its pilots issued a 72-hour strike notice. The airline from Canada may begin cancelling flights immediately and could fully suspend operations if no agreement is reached by Wednesday.

Negotiations on the strike are ongoing, but Air Transat has already started reducing flights to reposition aircraft and avoid leaving passengers and crew stranded overseas.

Travellers scheduled to fly this week may change their booking free of charge or cancel for a future travel credit. If a flight is cancelled, passengers will receive a refund or the next available alternative.

What are your rights?

For all passengers affected by Air Transat strike

If your Air Transat flight is cancelled, you are entitled to a refund for unused segments or rebooking within 48 hours. Package travellers may have extra accommodation costs covered if their stay is involuntarily extended.

If needed, passengers must be provided with meals, refreshments and overnight accommodation when their flight is cancelled because of the strike.

For flights departing from the EU

All passengers on EU departures retain the right to meals, hotel accommodation when necessary, and rerouting or a refund.

Only Air Transat flights leaving the European Union fall under EU Regulation 261/2004. If your EU-departing flight is cancelled or arrives more than three hours late, you may be entitled to compensation.

Compensation can reach €600 per passenger. Check your eligibility instantly by entering your flight number.