More than 100,000 WestJet customers affected by strike, over 1,000 flights cancelled

In an update Tuesday, WestJet said it was still work to restore all operations after its mechanics went on strike just before the start of the Canada Day long weekend, upending thousands of travel plans.

On Thursday, WestJet said a total of 1,137 flights had been cancelled, with more cancellations expected “over the coming days” as the airline works to return to normal operations.

In its latest update, the airline said it was “building momentum towards a full recovery.”

“WestJet has made significant progress in returning to normal operations,” it said on its website. “To date, 125 of WestJet’s 180 aircraft fleet are now in service across the airline’s network.”

The airline said more than 100,000 passengers were affected by the work disruption.

“Due to the labour strike and the resulting massive disruption to WestJet operations starting Friday, June 28, WestJet teams are working diligently to support all impacted guests as we resume normal operations,” WestJet said. “Unfortunately, with the July long weekend being a peak travel period in Canada, availability is limited across our network and through other carriers, making re-accommodation options extremely challenging.”

“In accordance with the Air Passenger Protection Regulations (APPR), if re-accommodation with WestJet or another airline is not available within 48 hours of a customer’s scheduled departure, they are entitled to request a refund to their original method of payment.”

About 680 workers, whose daily inspections and repairs are essential to airline operations, walked off the job Friday night despite a binding arbitration directive from Canada’s federal labour minister.

WestJet executives and the union representing striking mechanics announced Monday they have reached an agreement second provisional agreementending the devastating strike.

“The damage done to Canadians and our airline is enormous, and a swift resolution was necessary. We are not content with this outcome, but we will sleep better tonight knowing that further damage was avoided,” said WestJet President Diederik Pen.

With files from Nick Westoll