Air Canada announced it will restart flights Sunday evening after the Canadian government ordered striking flight attendants back to work and into arbitration.

The work stoppage, which began early Saturday, stranded more than 100,000 passengers during the peak summer travel season.

Government Intervention

Federal Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu issued the back-to-work order less than 12 hours after the strike began, citing economic risks and ongoing U.S. tariffs on Canada. The dispute has been referred to the Canada Industrial Relations Board, which extended the current contract until an arbitrator decides new terms.

Impact on Travelers

The shutdown of Canada’s largest airline disrupted about 130,000 passengers daily. By Saturday afternoon, Air Canada had canceled 671 flights, with nearly 100 more already suspended for Sunday. The airline warned it could take up to 10 days before schedules return to normal.

Passengers on canceled flights can request refunds or, when possible, be rebooked with other airlines. However, rebooking options are limited due to full flights during the busy summer season.

Labor Dispute

Air Canada and the Canadian Union of Public Employees have been in talks for eight months but remain divided on pay and unpaid duties. The airline’s most recent proposal offered a 38% increase in total compensation over four years. The union rejected it, saying the first-year raise of 8% falls short in addressing inflation.

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