Air Canada is set to gradually resume its global service, including flights to Dubai International Airport, following an agreement between the airline and union workers.
Canada’s national airline had previously cancelled all flights from its Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge services as a result of strike action by more than 10,000 flight attendants.
The dispute has meant that travel plans for more than 500,000 passengers worldwide have been impacted since Saturday August 16, including the daily route from the world’s busiest international airport to Toronto Pearson International Airport.
While flights in general will gradually begin to take off as early as the evening of Tuesday August 19, the full restoration of the flight schedule is likely to take between seven to 10 days, according to Air Canada.
The airline warns that in the next week, some flights will continue to be cancelled, including the Wednesday August 20 flight from DXB to Toronto and the evening flight from Toronto to DXB. However, the Tuesday August 19 flight to Dubai from Toronto is currently scheduled for a 10.20pm departure.
Air Canada to Gradually Resume Service Today after Reaching a Mediated Settlement with its Flight Attendant Union : https://t.co/f132wx0ybe pic.twitter.com/vACe5awDn1
— Air Canada (@AirCanada) August 19, 2025
So, if you’re scheduled to fly with Air Canada this month, you may need to seek alternative travel arrangements. Etihad Airways and Emirates direct routes from Abu Dhabi and DXB continue to operate as normal.
Only those with confirmed bookings whose flights are shown as operating should go to the airport. For Toronto Pearson International Airport, head here, for DXB head here and for general Air Canada bookings head here.
The restart of Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge operations is the result of a mediated agreement between the airline and the Canadian Union of Public Employees through a process overseen by a mutually agreed-upon mediator.
The agreement means that the airline’s 10,000 flight attendants will immediately return to work, but operations will gradually resume as cabin crew employees and aircraft are all out of position as things stand.
Air Canada apologises to passengers
Michael Rousseau, President and Chief Executive Officer of Air Canada, apologised to customers for the suspension of operations.
He said: “The suspension of our service is extremely difficult for our customers. We deeply regret and apologise for the impact on them of this labour disruption.
“Our priority now is to get them moving as quickly as possible. Restarting a major carrier like Air Canada is a complex undertaking.
“Full restoration may require a week or more, so we ask for our customers’ patience and understanding over the coming days.
“I assure them that everyone at Air Canada is doing everything possible to enable them to travel soon.”
The Canadian Union of Public Employees, representing the striking workers, describe the agreement as “tentative“. The agreement will be voted on by its members.
Canada’s national carrier has outlined what customers affected by the disrupted service can do with refunds and rebooking information here.
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