The provincial government and Hospitality Newfoundland and Labrador are urging Air Canada and the Air Line Pilots Association to work together to avoid a strike.
Air Canada could start suspending some of its operations as early as this weekend, with strike action possible early next week.
In a joint statement, Tourism Minister Steve Crocker and Hospitality NL CEO Craig Foley said they are “extremely concerned” over the potential strike action, noting that passengers are already receiving notifications about potential cancellations.
They say the tourism industry is critically important to the province’s economy, contributing $1.2-billion annually, and Air Canada brings in a significant volume of travelers.
Crocker and Foley believe a strike could be “catastrophic” for the concluding summer season and the upcoming shoulder season, and businesses and tourism operators will feel an immediate impact.
The two note that the province is already “disadvantaged” in terms of air access, and they “cannot sustain further reductions in service.”
They are urging the federal government to “do everything in its power” to prevent the need for strike action.