Dhaka, Aug. 14 -- Air Canada will start suspending flights on Thursday (August 14) after the union representing its 10,000 flight attendants announced a 72-hour strike set to begin Saturday.

In response, the airline issued its own lockout notice and said operations for both Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge could come to a complete halt over the weekend.

The Canadian Union of Public Employees says nearly all members voted for strike action over wages and unpaid work, while Air Canada accuses the union of demanding "exorbitant increases" and rejecting arbitration.

The standoff threatens to disrupt travel for about 130,000 passengers a day at the height of the summer season.

Air Canada informed that it will gradually suspend flight operat...