Air Canada Pilots Hold Informational Picket in Montreal in Response to Airline’s Q3 Results
TORONTO—Air Canada pilots, represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA), stood together, strong and unified, at Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport earlier today. Joined by pilots from several other airlines, over 200 Air Canada pilots demonstrated their resolve and solidarity in achieving a world-class contract.
Today’s informational picket took place at the same time as the Air Canada earnings call for their third-quarter results, where the airline reported record adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) of $1.83 billion, an increase of $773 million from the third quarter of 2022, with an adjusted EBITDA margin of 28.8 percent—the highest of any major North American airline for Q3 2023.
The Air Canada pilots congratulate their airline on today’s announcement and remain fully invested in their company’s financial success. “Today’s earnings report clearly shows that Air Canada is back to pre-pandemic profits, thanks in large part to the contributions Air Canada pilots made throughout this past summer and beyond,” said F/O Charlene Hudy, Air Canada ALPA Master Executive Council (MEC) chair during today’s event. “Operationally, the airline is still falling short, with the recent cancelled and delayed flights, and no one knows that better than our pilots and our passengers,” she continued.
Canada’s vast geography requires a sustainable aviation network. Some of the contractions happening within the Air Canada network can be improved by achieving a contract that addresses quality-of-life concerns, as well as the growing wage gap between the United States and Canada, by stabilizing the pipeline of pilots in Canada flowing through Air Canada and staying at the airline. “We want to have a stable aviation network in Canada, but to do so, you have to compensate pilots appropriately. Air Canada must invest in our pilot group so that we can retain and attract pilots at this global airline,” said F/O Hudy.
In June 2023, the Air Canada MEC officially provided a notice to bargain to Air Canada management, with negotiations ongoing. Since then, the pilot Negotiating Committee has been working hard with management to secure the world-class contract the pilot group deserves. The Company has a window of opportunity to attract future aviators, and help the airline achieve consistent and reliable service for customers, but as more time passes without a competitive contract, more Canadian pilots explore opportunities elsewhere, accelerating network cutbacks.
View photos from the picket
Founded in 1931, ALPA is the largest airline pilot union in the world and represents more than 75,000 pilots at 43 U.S. and Canadian airlines. Visit ALPA.org or follow us on Twitter @ALPAPilots.
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CONTACT: ALPA Media, 703-481-4440 or Media@alpa.org
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