The Globe and Mail reports in its Tuesday, Dec. 9, edition that contract talks between Transat A.T. and the union representing its 750 pilots continued late Monday as the airline prepared for a potential strike on Wednesday. The Globe's Eric Atkins writes that progress was reported toward a tentative collective agreement. To facilitate passenger travel, Transat started flying special early return flights on Monday, operating four flights for customers scheduled to come back on Wednesday, according to spokesman Alex-Anne Carrier. Scheduled flights continued as usual Monday afternoon, despite Air Transat warning of service suspensions. "Our priority remains to bring our travellers home and minimize travel disruptions," Ms. Carrier stated. The airline said Sunday that it would suspend all service as of Tuesday. Air Transat plans 30 flights on Tuesday and 47 on Wednesday, with no cancellations reported as of Monday evening. Western University airline labour policy professor Geraint Harvey said just the threat of cancelled flights will have a huge impact on passenger sentiment and future bookings. Air Transat, already on shaky financial ground, faces a loss of revenue if it does cancel flights, he said.