A potential strike looms as contract talks carry on between Air Canada and the union representing 10,000 of its flight attendants.

The outcome of negotiations this week could be critical for summer travellers worried about their upcoming flights.

Here's what you need to know ahead of taking off.

Will there be a strike?

It's too early to say. The Air Canada component of the Canadian Union of Public Employees received a strong strike mandate from its membership after a vote that closed last week, with 99.7 per cent in favour.

But, that doesn't mean a strike will happen. The airline downplayed the mandate, calling it a "normal step in the negotiation process" — essentially a tool that gives the union more leverage in contract talks.

The union has also said it's optimistic it can avoid a

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