Air Canada flights cancelled as pilots call in sick: report

As March Break travellers prepare to fly home, dozens of Air Canada flights to and from Pearson airport have been cancelled amid reports pilots have been calling in sick.

The GTAA website listed several flights as cancelled or delayed, including ones from Montreal, New York and Fort Lauderdale.

A source told CityNews it may be the pilots staging a job action after the Conservative government’s back-to-work bill passed the Senate and got royal assent on Thursday.

Labour Minister Lisa Raitt had proposed the legislation on Monday, claiming a work stoppage at the airline would hurt the economy.

The ruling means the dispute will be sent to binding arbitration. It also covers negotiations with the airline’s mechanics, baggage handlers and other ground crew.

Air Canada did not return calls for a comment, but spokesman Peter Fitzpatrick issued this statement: “All we can say is that on this peak travel weekend, we face a number of operational challenges, including weather. However, the vast majority of Air Canada employees are working hard to get our customers to destination safely.”

Visit the GTAA website for updates.

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