Air Transat says it will begin suspending flights on Monday and has issued advice on what travelers should know following pilots. issued a 72 hour strike notice.
The Air Line Pilots Association could begin work Wednesday at 3 a.m. Eastern time if negotiations fail to reach an agreement.
In response to the strike notice, the company said it had begun planning to cancel flights and repatriate passengers, crew and aircraft to prevent them from being stranded overseas in the event of a strike.
Air Transat says it will begin canceling flights “gradually” from Monday, with a full suspension by December 9.
“This strike notice is premature given the progress made at the negotiating table and the generous offers made by Air Transat,” said Julie Lamontagne, the airline's director of human resources, corporate responsibility and public affairs.
What travelers should know
With cancellations set to begin on Monday, Air Transat has issued an advisory on what travelers should be aware of, whether they have a flight coming up or are currently traveling.
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If customers have a flight booked on or before 12 December, they are advised to check the status of their flight at least 48 hours in advance to see if it will operate.
Customers will receive an email if their flight is cancelled, and the money will be refunded directly to their payment method.
Travelers whose flight on or before December 12 has not been shortened can cancel in advance by using online form available from the airline. They will receive a loan for a period of 12 months.
Air Transat says those who want to change their travel dates must fill out the same cancellation form and can then rebook their flight using the travel credit once it appears in their account.
Travelers with flights scheduled on or after December 13 may change or cancel their flights, but such actions will be subject to “usual terms and conditions.”
The airline is asking people not to contact them to change dates as teams are focusing on those travelers already at their destination.
Those at their destination with a flight scheduled on or before December 12 are asked to call the number listed for their current location. on the Air Transat website or in the airline app.
If a flight is cancelled, travelers will receive a new ticket on the next available flight within 48 hours of the original departure, if one exists.
Those who refuse an alternative flight offered by Air Transat, or if another flight is not available, will be refunded the unused portion of the trip.
Any customers traveling on an Air Transat package will also receive a new ticket on the next available flight if their return flight is cancelled. However, the airline adds that if the stay is extended, Air Transat will cover all additional costs incurred.
People currently at their destination are also advised that if their flight is cancelled, and they find a flight on another airline within 48 hours of the original departure time, they will be refunded the unused portion of their Air Transat ticket. Then clients will be able provide evidence purchasing a new ticket to receive a refund of the fare difference.
Travelers with an Air Transat package whose flight is canceled and find a flight on another carrier within 48 hours of departure will also be able to receive a refund for unused hotel nights and portions of the flight.
The airline warns that regardless of whether travelers are at their destination with a package or not, if they find a flight on another airline but their current return Air Transat flight has not been cancelled, they will not receive a refund for the newly purchased tickets.
Under Canada's Air Passenger Protection Regulation (APPR), refunds – cash, credit or travel voucher – must be provided within 30 days.
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