Air Transat Faces Potential Disruptions Due to Pilot Strike Notice

Air Transat, a Canadian leisure airline, is starting to halt some flights due to potential industrial action signaled by the pilots’ union.

On December 7, 2025, the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) delivered a 72-hour strike notice to the airline management, as mandated by the Canada Labour Code. This means that a strike could begin as soon as 03:00 local time on December 10, 2025.

“There’s still an opportunity to avoid a strike; however, unless significant advancements occur at the negotiating table, we may have to take that route to secure a modern contract,” stated Captain Bradley Small, Chair of the Air Transat Master Executive Council (MEC).

Air Transat pilots have been in negotiations for nearly a year, aiming for a modern contract featuring industry-standard salaries, benefits, work guidelines, and job security to replace their existing 2015 contract.

On December 2, 2025, an overwhelming 99% of the airline’s 750 pilots voted in favor of empowering their leadership to initiate industrial action if deemed necessary.

“No pilot desires to strike, but we feel compelled to do so given that Air Transat management has not provided satisfactory resolutions,” Small emphasized. “After months of unfruitful negotiations, management will be accountable for any disrupted flights and passengers left stranded.”

Following the strike notice, Air Transat released a statement cautioning that its operations might face disruptions from December 8 to 9, 2025, “until an agreement is attained.”

Julie Lamontagne, the Chief Human Resources, Corporate Responsibility, and Communications Officer at Air Transat, referred to the pilots’ strike notice as “premature.”

“We have shown a serious commitment throughout these negotiations and aimed to reach an agreement by offering numerous compromises and enhancements addressing the pilots’ concerns,” Lamontagne stated. “Despite our efforts, ALPA has exhibited a lack of willingness to find common ground, causing discussions to stall without resolution.”

Air Transat claims to have already proposed a five-year agreement that includes a 59% salary increase over that period along with “significant enhancements” to working conditions.

The airline has labeled the union’s demands as “unreasonable,” warning that an early strike could potentially lead to “severe repercussions” for both passengers and the company, affecting its 4,300 other employees.

What are your thoughts on the situation? Would you find this strike disruptive if you were planning to travel with Air Transat?