Air Canada to resume flights after directive ending strike

Air Canada said it would resume flights Sunday after a government directive to end a flight attendants’ strike.

The Canadian Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) “has directed Air Canada to resume airline operations and for all Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge flight attendants to resume their duties” by 2 p.m. ET, the airline said in a statement.

The directive came after Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu moved to impose binding arbitration Saturday, extending the existing contract until a new agreement is reached.

More than 10,000 flight attendants walked off the job over pay and scheduling disputes after months of negotiations over a new contract.

The strike upended travel plans worldwide at the height of the summer season, with around 700 daily flights suspended and some 100,000 travelers forced to scramble for alternatives or stay put.

“Restart of operations will begin immediately, with first flights this evening, but Air Canada expects it will take several days before its operations return to normal,” the airline said in its statement early Sunday. “During this process, some flights will be canceled over the next 7 to 10 days until the schedule is stabilized. Air Canada deeply regrets the inconvenience for its customers.”