Air Canada faces a strike threat by pilots from next month.
Canada’s Air Line Pilots Association, which represents more than 5,200 flight crew, said a strike mandate vote passed with 98% support on Thursday.
The union has been negotiating with the airline for more than a year, with ongoing talks overseen by a federal conciliator.
That process is due to end on Monday, followed by a 21-day cooling-off period, which leaves September 17 as the earliest possible strike date.
The airline said: “Air Canada acknowledged today the result of Air Canada pilots’ vote in favour of a potential strike, should the company not reach an agreement through the ongoing negotiations with the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA).
“Such a vote is a normal step in a negotiation process and does not mean that any disruption will take place.
“In fact, a strike cannot take place before the end of the current conciliation period, followed by a 21-day cooling-off period.”