Air Transat has reached a tentative deal with its pilots, ending the threat of a major strike. The airline says flights are returning to normal as both sides prepare for a ratification vote in the coming days.
More than 750 pilots will now review the proposal. Their vote will decide whether the agreement becomes official. The deal follows almost 11 months of stalled negotiations between Air Transat and the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA).
Pilots Push for Fair Terms After Months of Frustration
Captain Bradley Small, chair of the Air Transat ALPA Master Executive Council, said the pilots’ unity pressured the company to restart meaningful talks. Tensions spiked on Sunday after 99% of pilots voted to strike. Because of that vote, Air Transat began reducing flights and preparing for a shutdown that could have started on Wednesday.
What the New Deal Aims to Improve
The union has long argued that the current contract falls behind industry standards. The new agreement aims to raise pay, improve job security, and offer better scheduling. These changes address the issues pilots have pointed to throughout the year.
Air Transat also apologized to travelers for the uncertainty. The airline says it now wants to restore full operations quickly and deliver a smoother travel experience.
Another Labor Battle in Canada’s Aviation Industry
This is the second major airline labor dispute in Canada this year. In August, Air Canada flight attendants went on strike, which led to hundreds of canceled flights. The dispute ended only after government intervention and a mediated agreement between Air Canada and CUPE.
With this new deal in place, Air Transat hopes to move forward and avoid more travel disruptions.
