TORONTO — Air Canada pilots have reacted to Air Canada’s Q2 financial results by hinting at a possible strike that could come as early as Sept. 17.

Earlier this week, the airline released its Q2 results in which it reported $914 million (a 16.6 percent margin) in adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA), plus $1.507 billion year to date in generated net cash flows from operating activities. With continued strong demand and ongoing capacity adjustments, Air Canada is on track to generate more than $3 billion in EBITDA for full-year 2024. 

In response, Air Canada pilots, represented by the air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) noted that they’ve been in contract negotiations with the airline since June 2023 and are currently in federal conciliation, which will end on Aug. 26, at which time a 21-day cooling-off period will begin. If a new contract is not reached by the end of the cooling-off period, the pilots, who have a strike ballot set to close on Aug. 22, will be in a legal strike position as soon as Sept. 17, 2024.

“We want to reach an agreement with Air Canada to avert a strike. However, management continues to force us closer to a strike position by not listening to our needs at the negotiating table regarding fair compensation, respectable retirement benefits and quality-of-life improvements,” said F/O Charlene Hudy, chair of the Air Canada ALPA Master Executive Council. 

“Air Canada pilots continue to fall behind our industry peers in total compensation who make significantly more for flying the same aircraft on the same routes. This disparity is unacceptable and needs to be addressed. Failing to improve our pilots’ wages and working conditions will negatively impact management’s ability to attract and retain pilots, which will negatively impact Air Canada’s future growth plans,” Hudy added.