Air Canada will start canceling flights on Thursday in response to a looming strike by 10,000 flight attendants represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE). A full shutdown of Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge flights is expected by Saturday, potentially affecting around 130,000 passengers daily, Xinhua reported.

The move follows CUPE’s strike notice after eight months of failed talks over pay, pensions, benefits, and crew rest. Air Canada issued a 72-hour lockout notice and has requested government arbitration. Regional partner flights by Jazz and PAL Airlines will continue, carrying about 20 percent of daily passengers.