Air Canada says contract talks with pilots nearing impasse over wages

Air Canada says contract talks with its pilots are nearing an impasse over what the airline says is the union’s wage demands.

The airline says it’s preparing a contingency plan to suspend its flights gradually over three days if a 72-hour strike or lockout notice is issued.

Unless an agreement is reached, either side could issue a notice as early as Sept. 15.

Air Canada says tentative agreement has been reached on a large number of items during the contract talks, but wages remain a key sticking point.