Air Canada could begin suspending flights next weekend as strike deadline nears [Video]

Air Canada is finalizing plans to suspend most of its operations, likely beginning Sunday, as talks with the pilot union near an impasse over “inflexible” wage demands, the country’s largest airline said on Monday.

The airline and its low-cost subsidiary Air Canada Rouge are preparing to gradually suspend flights over three days, potentially starting as early as Sept. 15. The carriers operate nearly 670 flights daily.

Unless an agreement is reached, the carrier or the union are likely to issue a 72-hour strike notice or a lockout notice that triggers a three-day wind down plan. The shutdown could affect 110,000 passengers daily.

Air Canada is allowing customers with travel scheduled between Sept. 15 and 23 to make changes right now to their booking at no cost. Customers can also elect to cancel flights and receive a credit for future travel instead.

If a strike or lockout notice is issued and …