Air Canada is preparing for a potential near-total shutdown of its operations beginning September 15 due to stalled negotiations with the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) over wage increases. The airline's pilots, who represent over 5,200 members, are demanding pay increases to match their American counterparts, with ALPA claiming Delta pilots earn up to 45% more. If no agreement is reached, either party could issue a 72-hour strike or lockout notice that would trigger a three-day wind down of services. Air Canada's CEO, Michael Rousseau, expressed hope for an agreement but emphasized that pilots' wage demands far exceed average Canadian increases. The disruption could affect approximately 110,000 travelers daily, and it may take up to a week for operations to fully resume once they cease. The situation highlights ongoing tensions between labor demands and corporate profitability in the aviation industry.