Canadian government orders arbitration over Air Canada strike. Here's what you need to know. Air Canada estimates that some 130,000 customers will be impacted each day that the suspension continues.

Air Canada on Monday withdrew its third quarter and full-year earnings guidance due to a disruption in operations after its flight attendants went on strike.

The Canadian carrier said it expects to call off 500 flights by the end of Friday. Air Canada said it was suspending its schedule and trying to get passengers booked with other airlines to limit disruptions.

Air Canada wants to reinforce the gender wage gap by forcing Air Canada flight attendants – 70% of whom identify as women – to accept a wage offer less than one-third what Air Canada offered its pilots less than a year ago.

The Canadian government has urged Air Canada and its flight attendants' union to restart contract negotiations, with a threatened work stoppage that could disrupt travel for tens of thousands just hours away unless there is a resolution to the dispute.