Air Canada has resumed operations after a strike‑ending deal with its flight attendants, but the airline says cargo services will take longer to return to normal. Air Canada Cargo will maintain a temporary freighter schedule in place as passenger flights ramp up, with full freight capacity expected to be restored gradually.

The nationwide strike by flight attendants from Aug. 16–19 grounded most passenger flights and sharply reduced Canada's air freight capacity.

The grounding of passenger aircraft has removed critical bellyhold space from the network, further tightening freight availability.

To offset the disruption, Air Canada Cargo operated a revised freighter schedule using its four Boeing 767 freighters, moving about 20% to 25% of normal volumes.

During the walkout, the carrier suspended new bookings for certain specialty shipments — including live animals, pharmaceuticals, high‑value goods, and dangerous goods — unless space was available on a freighter.

Shipments already in the system were, however, reviewed, with some rerouted via the reduced freighter network or trucking links, and others postponed or cancelled depending on available capacity.

Air Canada Cargo said it will take “several days” for operations to normalize and that some flights will be cancelled during the seven‑ to ten‑day recovery period.

The modified freighter schedule, which includes temporary service to Europe, will remain in place. 

The trucking network earlier implemented linking freighter destinations with major hubs, will remain in operation to support the movement and transfer of cargo.

Most of the dedicated freighter service, however, serves North, Central, and South America, along with limited routes to Europe, but none currently operate to Asia —served only via bellyhold capacity on passenger flights.

Analysts estimate Air Canada Cargo accounts for 50% or more of Canada’s originating and terminating air freight capacity, depending on the route and season.

"As passenger flights resume, our freighter schedule will also return to normal, and temporary restrictions will be gradually lifted," Air Canada Cargo said.

Air Canada began restoring flights on Aug. 19 after reaching a mediated deal with the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), which represents its 10,000 flight attendants.

While initial services resumed that evening, the airline said full recovery would take up to ten days as aircraft and crews were repositioned.

In an Aug. 21 update, it projected operating 98% of domestic flights, 99% of U.S. flights, and 96% of international flights over the following 24 hours.

Meanwhile, the terms of the new contract have not been disclosed by Air Canada or CUPE.