Imagine waking up to find that your travel plans have been obliterated overnight! That’s exactly what happened when over 10,000 flight attendants at Air Canada staged an unprecedented walkout on Saturday morning, halting all operations and leaving thousands of travelers stranded. Talk about a summer travel nightmare!

The strike, sparked by disputes over pay and scheduling, has sent shockwaves through the aviation industry and prompted the Canadian government to take action. Minister Patty Hajdu quickly stepped in, directing the Canada Industrial Relations Board to impose binding arbitration. This means that the existing contract will be extended until a new agreement is reached, ensuring that the chaos doesn’t continue indefinitely.

“This decision will help make sure that hundreds of thousands of Canadians and visitors to our country are not impacted because of canceled flights,” Hajdu reassured in a statement made Saturday afternoon.

But the damage is already done. With Air Canada being the largest airline and flag carrier of Canada, the suspension of around 700 daily flights means an estimated 130,000 customers are affected each day. From honeymooners to family vacations, this strike is throwing travel plans into disarray at one of the busiest times of the year.

The future remains uncertain. Even though an agreement may eventually be reached, Air Canada’s Chief Operating Officer Mark Nasr warned that it could take up to a week to fully restart operations. Travelers are left anxiously awaiting news, wondering if they’ll ever make it to their desired destinations.

For those impacted, Air Canada is advising customers to steer clear of the airport unless they have a confirmed ticket with another airline, as the chaos unfolds. However, flights operated by Air Canada Express partners like Jazz and PAL airlines are still running.

If your flight has been canceled, don’t despair just yet! You have options. Customers who booked their flights on or before August 15 for travel on Saturday or Sunday can cancel for a full refund of the unused portion of their ticket, regardless of fare type, through the airline’s website or mobile app. Alternatively, you can choose to convert your fare into a travel credit for future use.

And if you’d prefer to keep your travel plans alive, Air Canada states it will make every effort to rebook you, including with other carriers. But be warned: the airline cautions that seat availability is extremely limited during this peak summer season.

Having connections with the Star Alliance network, which includes major airlines like United and Lufthansa, means that the impact of the strike could ripple outward, affecting partner airlines and their passengers as well.

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey is activated and ready to support travelers, stating that airport staff will be on-site to assist passengers and minimize disruptions. They advise checking flight status directly with Air Canada before heading to the airport and to allow extra time for travel.

With the U.S. Department of Transportation remaining silent on the matter, one thing is certain: the aftermath of this strike will be felt by travelers worldwide as the peak summer season continues.