Air Canada has warned its passengers it will need to cut over 9 500 domestic and US flights during July and August. Around 38% of flights have been delayed, with 16% cancelled outright.
The changes will see Air Canada reduce its schedule by 77 round trips – or 154 flights – on average, each day during July and August, according to the CBC.
"Regrettably, things are not business as usual in our industry globally, and this is affecting our operations and our ability to serve you with our normal standards of care," CEO, Michael Rousseau, said in a statement released Wednesday.
Prior to these reductions, Air Canada was operating about 1 000 flights per day.
"Three routes will be temporarily suspended between Montreal and Pittsburgh, Baltimore and Kelowna and one from Toronto to Fort McMurray," spokesperson Peter Fitzpatrick confirmed.
International flights by the carrier are unaffected by this reduction, besides US flights.
Compensation for 400 000 pax?
Consumers in Canada are campaigning for Air Canada to pay compensation to the passengers affected by the deluge of cancellations. The Air Passenger Protection Regulations of 2019 require compensation of US$400-US$1 000 (R6 600-R16 400) for a cancellation or significant delay that is ‘within the carrier’s control’.
Jacques Roy, Professor of Transport Management at HEC Montreal Business School, estimates that at least 400 000 passengers are set to be affected by the disruption, according to The Globe and Mail.
