Concerns arise for travelers as WestJet, Canada’s second-largest airline, faces a potential work stoppage involving 4,400 flight attendants. The airline has already canceled numerous flights in anticipation of a looming strike.
Following a 72-hour strike notice issued by the flight attendants’ union early Thursday, WestJet responded by issuing a 72-hour lockout notice.
For summer travelers worried about the impact on their plans, here are the key details to stay informed.
Has the strike or lockout commenced?
Not yet. The flight attendants, represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), signaled their intent to strike early on Thursday, with negotiations ongoing during the 72-hour notice period.
The notice period expires at 12:01 a.m. MT on Sunday, or 2:01 a.m. ET, marking the earliest potential start of a strike if no agreement is reached. There is a possibility of an agreement before the deadline or further negotiations if close to a deal.
Both WestJet and CUPE stated in separate releases that they are actively engaged in negotiations to reach a resolution.
Will all WestJet flights be affected?
By 11 a.m. MT (1 p.m. ET) on Saturday, WestJet had already canceled 198 flights.
If an agreement is not reached before Sunday morning, more disruptions might occur. The airline’s current cancellations aim to avoid stranding crew and passengers, advising travelers to verify their flight status before heading to the airport.
WestJet affirmed earlier in the week its commitment to informing ticket-holders about any flight adjustments or cancellations beforehand.
Travelers with bookings on WestJet Encore regional service or code-share flights operated by partners like Delta Air Lines will remain unaffected by the potential strike, according to the airline.
What should passengers know about upcoming flights?
Prior to the possible strike, WestJet has allowed passengers traveling between July 30 and Aug. 4 to make a one-time change or cancellation without fees.
Refunds back to the original payment method are available for specific bookings under the one-time cancellation offer. Passengers with PremiumFlex and BusinessFlex bookings, or premium/business travelers on Canada-Asia routes, can receive cash refunds, while others will get travel credit refunds.
If a passenger opts to retain their WestJet booking and experiences delays or cancellations, the airline assures affected passengers will be refunded or re-accommodated as necessary. According to Canada’s Air Passenger Protection Regulations, impacted customers must be rescheduled on a WestJet or partner flight within 48 hours, with a refund option if rescheduling is not possible within the timeframe.