MONTREAL, Aug 6 (Reuters) - Air Canada ( ACDVF ) flight attendants

are heading back to the bargaining table on Friday, after

overwhelmingly approving a strike mandate this week that could

allow them to walk off the job as early as August 16, their

union and the carrier said on Wednesday.

The Canadian Union of Public Employees, which represents

more than 10,000 flight attendants at the country's largest

carrier, would need to give 72 hours' notice before initiating

any strike. Both sides have said they prefer resolving demands

for higher pay through a negotiated settlement.

Air Canada ( ACDVF ) has said that there is enough time to reach a

deal and avert a possible strike.