WestJet nears total of 1,000 flight cancellations on third day of strike

WestJet made further cancellations of flights on Sunday (June 30) while Fraternal Association of Aircraft Mechanics (AMFA) has entered its third day of strike.

The airline has cancelled an additional 410 flights, for a cumulative total of more than 800 flights, since a strike notice was issued ahead of the Canada Day long weekend – one of the busiest travel periods of the year.

“Vacationers who missed their holidays, stranded business travellers and family reunions over long weekends have been disrupted by AMFA’s decision to strike, and we are sincerely sorry to the tens of thousands of Canadians who have suffered the cumulative effects of this unnecessary work stoppage. I am encouraged by the determination of our employees to overcome adversity and ensure safe and controlled operations in the future,” said Diederik pen, President of WestJet Airlines and Group Chief Operating Officer, in a press release.

LEARN MORE: WestJet extends flight cancellations until Tuesday (July 2) as strike continues

“We continue to believe that the current strike is intended to cause maximum damage to our airline and the country. WestJet has received a binding arbitration order and is urgently awaiting clarification from the government that a strike and arbitration cannot occur simultaneously. This is something WestJet has committed to and, like all Canadians, we are waiting.”

Sunday’s cancellations come alongside the airline parking additional planes as it reduces its fleet to about 32 active tails.

WestJet says it will operate a reduced schedule with the remaining fleet “as long as strike action continues.”

Flight cancellations now extend through Tuesday (July 2). Here is the latest cancellation total (as of Sunday, June 30 at 3:15 p.m. EST):

	Total cancellations
Thursday June 27, 2024	18
Friday June 28, 2024	25
Saturday June 29, 2024	284
Sunday June 30, 2024	424
Monday July 1	78
Tuesday July 2	3
	Total number of cancelled flights: 832

WestJet Vacations

Beyond disrupted flight itineraries, travel advisors must now clean up the mess left behind for customers traveling with WestJet Vacations.

For all WestJet Vacations reservations for travel between June 29 and July 2, 2024, only the air portion of a vacation package will be refunded to the original method of payment if a customer cancels a reservation, we read in a statement. update posted on airline website.

“The ground portion will be returned in the form of WestJet dollars with an expiration date of one year from the date of cancellation,” the company writes.

It is not clear whether all insurance companies will cover the hotel’s loss due to a strike.

WestJet adds that when a customer cancels online, they will receive a message stating that the cancellation constitutes a total loss of funds – “however, funds will be returned as noted above,” the airline says, noting that refunds will take up to 30 days to process.

Customers who have booked through a travel advisor are advised to contact their agent directly.

PAX has contacted WestJet for further clarification.

“Canadians need this problem solved”

The AMFA, which represents WestJet’s aircraft maintenance engineers (AMEs) and technical operations, called a surprise strike Friday night (June 28), triggering this latest round of flight cancellations.

WestJet CEO Alexis von Hoensbroech took to his LinkedIn page on Saturday to express his frustration with the situation.

“In my 25 years in aviation, I have never encountered such unreasonable compensation. Calling a strike when the minister has ordered arbitration constitutes an abuse of the right to strike,” von Hoensbroech wrote.

Strikes and lockouts are “important and legitimate tools” to apply pressure during collective bargaining processes, the CEO continued.

“However, once the parties are in arbitration, there is no more negotiation, so a strike no longer influences the outcome,” he wrote. “By continuing its strike, the union is doing nothing but creating havoc and potentially disrupting hundreds of thousands of guests, with no benefit to its members. »

Minister of Labor Seamus O’Regan also addressed the strike, writing on social media on Saturday that he was reviewing the Canadian Industrial Relations Board’s decision, “which is clearly inconsistent with my instructions to the Board.”

“I will consider additional measures to protect the interests of the employer, the union and all Canadians who travel during this holiday weekend,” Mr. O’Regan wrote.

In a follow-up message posted to X early Sunday, Minister O’Regan said he met with WestJet and AMFA, asking them to work with the Canada Industrial Relations Board to resolve their differences and reach their first agreement.

“There is a lot at stake here,” he wrote. “Canadians need this issue resolved.”

WestJet customers are advised to check the status of their flight before leaving for the airport.

Visit WestJet’s Guest Updates page for more information on flight status, travel changes and more.

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