A complete shutdown will affect approximately 130,000 people daily, and around 25,000 Canadians will be stranded abroad each day. Air Canada operates around 700 flights per day.

Ahead of the work stoppage, the airline said it had canceled most of the 700 flights that it directly operates, which carry about 130,000 people each day.

The Canadian carrier said it expects to call off 500 flights by the end of Friday. Air Canada said it was suspending its schedule and trying to get passengers booked with other airlines to limit disruptions.