Air Canada has introduced an Exceptional Disruption Policy to cover transport costs for customers who have been affected by cancelled flights following recent strike action, which has reached a mediated settlement as of August 19.
Air Canada Introduces Exceptional Disruption Policy
The airline has introduced an Exceptional Disruption Policy following recent events of strike action, which left thousands of customers dealing with cancelled flights. The policy implemented from August 20, 2025 works towards compensating customer expenses which may have been incurred to reach their destination during this strike action.
Alongside their introduction of this new policy aimed to help compensate customers, travellers can access a dashboard through the airline’s website to track operational progress as it returns to normality.
Air Canada refunds customers with cancelled flights
After recent strike action on August 16 by employees at the airline to push for improved wages and to be paid for work taken on the ground, a settlement has been reached. Scheduled flights began resuming as normal from August 19. However, the airline advises customers to only check in for flights scheduled, as it is estimated to take between 7-10 days to resume normality; otherwise, a refund will be processed for customers who are affected by the cancellations.
It has introduced their new policy and has offered options to those who have had their flights cancelled, with either obtaining a full refund or travel credits for future travel with Air Canada. Some customers have been rebooked on other airlines, which has caused those travelling with friends and families to be separated due to the limited capacity of other airlines.
What else can customers impacted by strike action do?
Amongst Air Canada’s ongoing plan to mitigate the impacts caused by the strike actions, many travel experts have advised customers on the best options for them going forward such as filing complaints, checking whether your travel insurance covers strike action for a refund, and even not falling for Air Canada’s rebooking system according to President of the Advocacy Group Air Passenger Rights, Gabor Lukacs.
Whilst the airline is obligated to provide status updates and continue their efforts to provide travel, under the Air Passenger Protection Regulations (APPR) it is not required for the airline to provide compensation unless the criteria of EU Regulation 261 is met, so it is vital for customers to review their travel insurance and contact the airline for more information.
Have you been affected by Air Canada’s recent strikes? Let us know in the comments below
