Big Rouge dives further down the shitter.
Air Canada began cancelling departing flights early today amid reports that some pilots were expected to call in sick in protest.
By 7:45 a.m. ET, about 30 flights had been cancelled, mainly to Canadian destinations, an Air Canada spokesman said. Seven flights each were listed as cancelled at Toronto's Pearson Internation Airport and Montreal's Trudeau airport.
Air Canada and Jazz warned travellers that flights all day Friday may be delayed or cancelled.
"It appears a small group of pilots are engaged in an illegal job action," said Air Canada spokesman Peter Fitzpatrick. "There's been a higher than normal level of pilots calling in sick — and as a result we've had to cancel some flights today."
The Air Canada Pilots Association, which represents 3,000 pilots, was urging members to report to work and ignore “a small group” of pilots who want colleagues to call in sick to show dissatisfaction with management, according to reports.
The pilots are unhappy with management after contract talks broke down. Last month, the federal government referred Air Canada's two labour disputes to the Canada Industrial Relations Board, a move that prevents a work stoppage.
Fitzpatrick said "the vast majority of pilots" were showing up for work. "There's just a small group today that has decided to engage in this illegal activity."
On an average day, he said, the airline has about 1,500 flights. "So it's confined. But nonetheless, it does cause disruption for our customers and we're working hard to get people to their destination as soon as possible."
