Air Canada will begin cancelling flights on Thursday as a potential strike looms after the union representing its flight attendants issued a 72-hour strike notice. The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), representing 10,000 flight attendants, reached an impasse in contract talks.

• The strike is set to begin at approximately 01:00 EST (05:00 GMT) on Saturday.
• CUPE states Air Canada "refused to address" core issues like wages and unpaid work, while the airline rejected a counteroffer seeking “exorbitant increases” and binding arbitration.
• The flight disruption could affect 130,000 daily customers, including 25,000 Canadians, during the peak summer travel period.
• Flights for Air Canada Express will not be affected; customers with cancelled flights will receive a full refund.