Air Canada canceled hundreds of flights and suspended operations Saturday after flight attendants launched a labor strike, prompting Canadian government officials to implore urgent negotiations to end a travel fiasco sweeping across North America.

"It is unacceptable that such little progress has been made. Canadians are counting on both parties to put forward their best efforts," Canadian Federal Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu wrote on social media.

The airline failed to reach a contract deal with the union representing the flight attendants, prompting 10,000 employees to walk off the job early Saturday.

Air Canada said it canceled all 700 daily flights and was taking action to lock out their striking workers from airports.

Air Canada is the largest foreign carrier sending flights to the U.S., and an estimated 130,000 travelers could be impacted.