‘This can’t be happening:’ Maritime travellers navigate Air Canada flight cancellations

With an Air Canada strike looming, flight plans are on standby.

It’s been a long and stressful day for Stuart Cherenfant, who is just one of a growing number of Air Canada passengers left scrambling for answers.

He was supposed to be headed to the Bahamas but instead has been stuck at Halifax Stanfield International Airport.

“I was supposed to go to Ottawa this morning. My flight was around seven, and I got the notification at the last minute, at around 4:50 a.m. that my flight was cancelled,” explains Cherenfant.

“[I thought] this can’t be happening because it really took a lot for me to plan this trip. I’m actually heading home for a funeral and it’s multiple stops that I have to make.”

It comes in the midst of a contentious dispute between Air Canada and the union representing more than ten thousand flight attendants.

Both sides continue to negotiate a deal, but progress has stalled as the union remains firm their demands for wages and unpaid work needs to be addressed.

Air Canada says it’s actively rescheduling tickets with other airlines, including competitors, which has brought relief to some travellers at Halifax Stanfield International Airport.

“I’m heading for Sydney, Australia. And I got here and was told my flight was canceled, and they got me rebooked very quickly going through the U.S. instead. Actually, getting me in half an hour earlier than my original flight was scheduled to land,” says traveller Fiona Paterson.

Still, the airline says its capacity to rebook “will be very limited.”

As such, Gabor Lucas, the president of Air Passenger Rights, says travelers should know their rights.

“The principle is to wait until the flight is canceled. Don’t jump the gun. Give Air Canada one chance to rebook you in accordance with the law,” says Lucas.

“If they fail to do so or refuse to do so, then buy yourself a ticket on a competitor and send Air Canada the bill. Give them 30 days to pay up. They don’t pay, serve them with small claims court papers. Don’t go to the federal government. The Canadian Transportation Agency is not going to help, and they are swamped with 87,000 complaints. Small claims court is your best friend,” explains Lucas.

Meanwhile, Cherenfant says Air Canada eventually rebooked him on a flight leaving out of Halifax Thursday night.

“Hopefully I don’t get any more surprises at the last minute,” he says.

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