WestJet has once again started cancelling flights as its Aircraft Maintenance Engineers and other Technical Operations employees plan to go on strike as of Friday evening.
The airline has announced 25 flight cancellations today and tomorrow, impacting 3,300 guests. The potential strike comes on the eve of the Canada Day long weekend, when more than 70,000 guests per day are booked for travel.
WestJet says the action ensures it can safely park its aircraft in a controlled manner, while enabling proactive communication and preventing the stranding of passengers and crew. It’s the second time in just over a week that the airline has cancelled flights – the first round impacted about 6,600 passengers, before the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA) withdrew its strike notice and agreed to a four-day bargaining period.
WestJet is cancelling some long weekend flights as its mechanics could strike Friday evening. (Photo Credit: WestJet a commandé 42 Boeing 737-10 MAX)
Just hours into the first day of the bargaining period, the union served a second strike notice. WestJet says the timing could disrupt the travel plans of more than 250,000 guests scheduled to travel over the long weekend, and accused the union of attempting “to force an unreasonable contract.”
"As we quickly approach the July long weekend, it is especially devastating that the strike notice we have received from AMFA forces us to begin cancelling flights and parking aircraft, for the second time in just over a week,” said Diederik Pen, President of WestJet Airlines and Group Chief Operating Officer.
“As we are forced to make this painful decision, every one of us at WestJet feels the immense weight of the impact this will have on each of our guests and the communities we serve, counting on us to fulfill their travel plans this weekend."
WestJet says it is making every effort to reaccommodate all impacted guests and will remain at the bargaining table. But Pen warned that “we have no choice but to hold strong on a reasonable outcome that protects our future and ability to provide Canadians with critical and affordable air travel.”
Guests travelling are advised to check the status of their flight prior to leaving for the airport. Advisors can visit WestJet's Guest Updates page for more information regarding flight status, travel changes and more.
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