Air Canada announced Tuesday that it has reached a mediated agreement with the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), which represents about 10,000 flight attendants who had been on strike since last Saturday. The agreement calls for the immediate return of cabin crews to their duties and the gradual resumption of operations for both Air Canada and its leisure subsidiary, Air Canada Rouge.

The deal brings an end to three days of walkouts that disrupted operations across the network, but the airline cautioned that the recovery will not be immediate. According to Air Canada, it could take between seven and ten days to fully stabilize flight schedules, as many aircraft and crews were left out of position during the strike.

“Some flights will be canceled over the next seven to ten days until schedules are back on track,” Air Canada said in a statement. The carrier emphasized that restarting operations for a major international airline “is not as simple as flipping a switch.”

Data from FlightAware showed that about 25% of flights scheduled for Wednesday had already been canceled, a number expected to increase in the coming days. During the strike, Air Canada reported approximately 700 daily cancellations between Saturday and Monday, along with a significant number on Tuesday.

Michael Rousseau, President and CEO of Air Canada, urged customers for patience: “Our priority now is to get operations moving as quickly as possible. A full restoration could take a week or longer.”

The airline advised passengers to proceed to the airport only if they hold confirmed reservations and if their flights are listed as active on Air Canada’s official website. Customers affected by cancellations will be eligible for a full refund or a travel credit.

The tentative agreement, which still requires ratification by CUPE members, includes wage increases and compensation for ground duty assignments. While the accord signals a step toward stability, Air Canada reaffirmed that its return to normal service will be gradual and dependent on operational realignment.