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Air Canada started canceling flights on Thursday as a potential strike by its flight attendants could affect travel for hundreds of thousands of passengers.

Canada's largest airline warned that a full strike could affect around 130,000 travelers each day, with all operations potentially stopping by early Saturday.

Mark Nasr, Air Canada's chief operations officer, explained that nearly 300 flight attendants—twice the usual number—did not report to work Thursday night.

"This will result in additional cancellations. We regret the inconvenience to customers," Nasr said, noting that the airline has begun gradually suspending Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge flights to ensure an orderly restart, which could take up to a week.

The first wave of cancellations affects long-haul international flights departing Thursday night.

According to CBS News, Nasr shared that the airline expects more than 100,000 passengers to be affected by Friday evening, with about 500 flights canceled by day's end.

The grounding could leave 25,000 Canadians stranded abroad each day if the strike proceeds.

The Canadian Union of Public Employees, representing roughly 10,000 Air Canada flight attendants, issued a 72-hour strike notice Wednesday, citing stalled contract talks over wages and unpaid labor. In response, Air Canada issued a lockout notice.

Air Canada Flight Attendants Demand Fair Pay for Ground Duties

Flight attendants say they are seeking fair pay for tasks performed on the ground, such as boarding passengers and waiting between flights.

The airline proposed a four-year pay deal that includes a 38% total increase, with a 25% raise in the first year and partial pay for roughly 35 hours of unpaid work each month.

The union rejected the company's offer for binding arbitration, preferring a negotiated deal that members can vote on.

Air Canada CEO Michael Rousseau said, "We regret the impact a disruption will have on our customers, our stakeholders and the communities we serve."

Customers affected by cancellations will receive full refunds, and the airline has arranged alternative travel with other carriers where possible.

Travelers voiced concern about the potential disruption. David Nguyen, 28, vacationing in Cancun, said, "If my flight does get cancelled, I think that's where I'll be in a little bit of a pickle because I don't really know what my next step will be," while urging fair pay for flight attendants, Reuters reported.

Summer Mehdi, 19, a student from Ontario, added, "We 100% agree with the strike happening... we just wish there was more communication, and I think it's just like a stressful situation for everyone."

Canadian Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu called on both sides to resume negotiations after the union asked for binding arbitration by Friday afternoon.