WestJet has announced further flight cancellations as the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA) strike enters its third day. Since the strike notice was issued just days before the Canada Day long weekend, the airline has canceled an additional 410 flights overnight, bringing the total to over 800. This has disrupted countless vacation goers, stranded business travelers, and long-weekend family reunions.
Diederik Pen, President of WestJet Airlines and Group Chief Operating Officer, expressed sincere apologies to the tens of thousands of Canadians impacted by the work stoppage. He stated, “We are sincerely sorry to the tens of thousands of Canadians that have experienced the compounding impacts of this unnecessary work stoppage. I am encouraged by our employee’s willingness to rise above the adversity and deliver a safe and controlled operation going forward.”
Pen continued, “We continue to hold our view that the current strike serves no purpose other than to inflict maximum damage to our airline and the country. WestJet is in receipt of a binding arbitration order and await urgent clarity from the government that a strike and arbitration cannot exist simultaneously; this is something they have committed to address and like all Canadians we are waiting.”
As part of the ongoing disruption, WestJet is parking more aircraft, reducing its operational fleet to approximately 32 active planes. The airline will continue to operate a reduced schedule with the remaining fleet for the duration of the labor action.
Travelers are advised to check the status of their flights before heading to the airport. For more information on flight status and travel changes, please visit WestJet’s Guest Updates page.
