WestJet CEO says ‘flight cancellations can be expected tomorrow’

As its mechanics prepare to face a possible strike, WestJet warns it may have to start canceling flights on JUNE 27. And it says cancellations could reach double digits.

“The first cancellations are expected for tomorrow”, » said WestJet CEO Alexis von Hoensbroech on JUNE 26. “(WestJet) guests should call the airline to verify their flight.”

“We can’t just stop stealing at some point, so we must end our activities in an orderly manner. » von Hoensbroech said in an article published on the CBC news site. “And I think it was noted last week that it would require some cancellations before that.

So if there is no resolution inside (at the negotiating table), which I don’t see at the moment, then the first cancellations can be expected for tomorrow.”

According to Connected TVvon Hoensbroech said WS was still working on its plan, but the initial number of cancellations would likely be “a double-digit number, which will increase as we approach Friday’s strike deadline.”
He added that the airline would be able to maintain a number of flights in the event of a strike, serving international and continental routes. The routes most likely to be affected would be interior and Caribbean routes, as well as other routes located in the North American corridor.

Last week, WestJet canceled around 40 flights, affecting around 6,500 passengers, after the airline mechanics union set a June 20 strike deadline. The Fraternal Association of Aircraft Mechanics (AMFA) has canceled the strike notice after both sides agreed to return to the negotiating table.

Talks resumed this week, but ended quickly. On June 26, the mechanics union set another strike notice for June 28 at 5:30 p.m. MT, which would seriously disrupt passengers’ and advisors’ Canada Day travel plans.

Von Hoensbroech told CBC the airline is offering an industry-best 22 per cent pay increase over four years. He also said the union was making unreasonable demands.

“All other unions would immediately shake hands for an agreement like this,” von Hoensbroech said.

The union said its members have been locked out by WestJet, but negotiations will resume June 27 in Toronto.

Given the harsh words from both sides, a deal will not be easy.