Air Canada said it will start cancelling flights on Thursday ahead of a possible strike by its flight attendants, which the airline said will allow for an orderly shutdown of Canada's largest airline.

Over 10,000 Air Canada flight attendants plan to strike on Saturday over stalled contract talks, threatening major travel disruptions across Canada.

Air Canada, the country’s largest airline, has started cancelling flights ahead of a planned nationwide strike of 10,400 flight attendants and cabin crew, after pay talks broke down this week.