WestJet Guest Updates

Since Sunday, June 30 at 10:30 p.m. WestJet has taken significant strides to resume normal operations. As of today, 125 of WestJet's 180 fleet are now active across the airline’s network. 

Due to the labour strike and related mass disruption to WestJet’s operation beginning Friday, June 28, teams across WestJet are working diligently to support all impacted guests as we rebuild to normal operations. Unfortunately, as July long weekend is a peak travel period across Canada, limited availability exists both within our network and through alternative carriers, making options for reaccommodation extremely challenging.  

In compliance with the Air Passenger Protection Regulations (APPR), in the event reaccommodation with WestJet or an alternative airline isn’t available within 48 hours of a guest's scheduled departure, guests are entitled to request a refund to their original form of payment. 

For more information regarding the Air Passenger Protection Regulations (APPR), guests are encouraged to visit the Canadian Transportation Agency’s website. 

Guests with imminent travel plans are advised to check the status of their flight prior to leaving for the airport.  

As of 12:00 a.m. this morning, WestJet began to ramp up its operations, as quickly and efficiently as possible; however, the full resumption of operations will take time and further cancellations will be required over the coming days.  

“We are grateful to be recovering our operation; however, we fully recognize the continued impact on our guests and sincerely appreciate their patience and understanding,” said Diederik Pen, President of WestJet Airlines and Group Chief Operating Officer. “Across our airline, our teams are working around the clock to safely bring the 130 aircraft parked across Canada back to the skies, as efficiently as possible.” 

Recovery  

As a result of the active labour disruption that began on June 28 and concluded on Sunday, June 30, WestJet parked 130 of its 180 aircraft. While labour action has concluded, its impact will continue for additional days, as WestJet works to recover in the following areas:  

• WestJet aircraft are parked at 13 airports across Canada, eight of which do not have crew bases, meaning crew need to be transported to the aircraft for retrieval 
• As a result of the disruption, work to recover stranded crew across our network will be an immediate priority   
• Aircraft that were parked ceased operating on schedule and will require standard maintenance and safety checks before returning to service 

On average,1,600 crew members are required to execute WestJet’s operation each day. As a result of the disruption, many operationally sensitive WestJetters were disrupted, taking them out of position to continue operating their assigned schedule 

Futher damage to guests, employees, and communities prevented as the airline works to rebuild

WestJet confirms that as of June 30, 2024 at 9:30 p.m. MT, the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA) are withdrawing their strike action. AMFA members will return to work as scheduled to immediately start work to restore the network. The airline and AMFA resumed talks earlier today, for the first time since Thursday, June 27, despite a stalemate on the intent of the Minister’s order for binding arbitration. They did so to reach a tentative agreement and prevent further damage to the Canadian public.  

“The damage to Canadians and our airline is massive, a swift resolution was necessary; we take no victory laps on this outcome but will sleep better tonight knowing further harm has been prevented,” said Diederik Pen, President of WestJet Airlines and Group Chief Operating Officer. “We will see no further labour action coming out of this dispute, as both parties agree to arbitrate the contract in the case of a failed ratification.”    

Lack of clarity from the government and the decisions taken by the CIRB allowed for a strike to occur amidst binding arbitration. With no path forward to resolution, both parties made essential movements to find common ground and achieve an agreement. 

The company was forced to park 130 aircraft at 13 airports across Canada, in response to the strike. With today’s news, the airline will begin work to restore operations in a safe and timely manner. Given the significant impact to WestJet’s network over the past few days, returning to business-as-usual flying will take time and further disruptions over the coming week are to be anticipated as the airline gets aircraft and crew back into position.    

“We want to thank guests for their patience during what was an uncertain and stressful time,” continued Pen. “I want to personally thank our teams of WestJetters who were equally thrust into the uncertainty, and who once again demonstrated their care, dedication and resilience.” 

WestJet today proceeded with additional flight cancelations, as the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA) enter their third day of strike. The airline has cancelled an additional 410 overnight to a cumulative total of more than 800 flights since the strike notice was issued just days in advance of Canada Day long weekend.   

“Missed vacation goers, stranded business travellers and long-weekend family reunions have been disrupted due to AMFA’s action to strike, and we are sincerely sorry to the tens of thousands of Canadians that have experienced the compounding impacts to 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.” says Diederik Pen, President of WestJet Airlines and Group Chief Operating Officer. “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.”  

Today’s cancellations are accompanied by the airline parking additional aircraft as it reduces its fleet to approximately 32 active tails. WestJet will operate a reduced schedule with the remaining fleet for as long as the labour action continues. 

The Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA) continues to strike, forcing WestJet to proceed with further cancellations across its network. As a result of the unions blatant efforts to disrupt the travel plans of thousands of Canadians over July long weekend, WestJet has cancelled a total of 407 flights to maintain stability across its remaining operation. WestJet continues to seek intervention, while exploring every possible avenue for resolution.   

“Today has been incredibly challenging for all of us at WestJet. Every flight cancellation we are forced to issue represents hundreds of guests, who are being impacted by the continued reckless actions of this union,” says Diederik Pen, President of WestJet Airlines and Group Chief Operating Officer. “In the face of immense adversity, our teams are working hard and delivering a safe and controlled operation.” 

WestJet will continue parking aircraft throughout the remainder of the evening and tomorrow Sunday, June 30, 2024, working to safely reduce its operating fleet to approximately 30 aircraft by tomorrow evening. 

Due to the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association’s (AMFA) decision to strike despite the Ministerial mandate for arbitration, WestJet has announced an additional 235 flight cancellations. Until the union’s irrational strike action is rescinded, or immediate intervention is received, WestJet will be forced to continue issuing flight cancellations to maintain stability across its remaining operation.  

“This situation is devastating. The union’s irrational actions are single-handedly causing irrevocable damage to our guests who are missing wedding celebrations, critical medical appointments, family reunions and long-awaited vacations, while stranding thousands of Canadians who are left without support or a flight home,” says Diederik Pen, President of WestJet Airlines and Group Chief Operating Officer. “We are seeking every avenue for intervention and working around the clock to maintain a stable network, while we reduce our flying in a safe and controlled manner.”  

Through Saturday, June 29, WestJet will continue parking aircraft in stations across Canada with significant disruptions expected by end of day. 

For further context on the evolving situation, please review our Fact Page on westjet.com.

Union’s deliberate actions impacting approximately 20,000 guests’ travel plans

As a result of the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association’s (AMFA) decision to strike, WestJet has begun initiating significant flights cancellations for Saturday, June 29. The initial 150 flight cancellations will impact approximately 20,000 guests with limited reaccommodation options available. Additional cancellations are anticipated by Saturday morning if the strike is not called off or intervention does not happen immediately. 

WestJet is actively and aggressively pursuing every avenue to minimize disruption, including asking for immediate intervention by the Minister of Labour and the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB). As previously stated, WestJet had more than 250,000 guests scheduled to fly across the long weekend.  

“A strike serves no one, as this negotiation has already been referred to binding arbitration. We know how painful this is for our guests and our people; however, we must start the immediate and safe parking or our aircraft,” said Diederik Pen, President of WestJet Airlines and Group Chief Operating Officer. “The scale of this deliberate disruption is devastating and AMFA must be held accountable for their reckless actions. Without immediate intervention, significant disruption will unnecessarily harm tens of thousands of Canadians along with the entire economic ecosystem that depends on our critical air service.” 

Beginning Saturday, June 29, WestJet will begin parking aircraft in stations across Canada with the intention of operating a significantly reduced schedule by end of day. 

WestJet responds to the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA) notice that it has commenced strike action as of today, June 28, 2024 at 7:30 pm ET.    

"The government has officially stepped in to provide binding arbitration and ensure we get to a resolution; the only reason for this union to continue with a strike action is to create damage, disrupt the travel plans of thousands of Canadians over the July long weekend and to inflict significant costs on our business,” said Diederik Pen, President of WestJet Airlines and Group Chief Operating Officer. “Given arbitration has been ordered, a strike has no leverage on the arbitration’s outcome, so it is pure retaliation of a disappointed union. We are extremely outraged at these actions and will hold AMFA 100 per cent accountable for the unnecessary stress and costs incurred as a result."

The airline is actively and aggressively pursuing every avenue to minimize disruption, including asking for immediate intervention by the Minister of Labour and the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB). Severe travel disruption is to be expected if the strike is not called off immediately, as the network takedown can no longer happen in the orderly manner that WestJet had originally planned. 

Airline confirms labour action has been avoided and no additional flights will be cancelled

WestJet today, received confirmation that the Minister of Labour has directed the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) to assist WestJet and the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA) in reaching a first collective agreement. The CIRB confirmed receipt and has taken actions to start the process. 

WestJet and AMFA will enter final binding arbitration to resolve the outstanding terms of the collective agreement. The airline acknowledges the Minister’s direction to secure industrial peace, and AMFA has confirmed they will abide by the direction. Given this, a strike or lockout will not occur, and the airline will no longer proceed in cancelling flights. 

“With the government’s actions, the summer travel plans of Canadians have been protected and we have a path to resolution,” said Diederik Pen, President of WestJet Airlines and Group Chief Operating Officer. “We recognize the significant impact the initial cancellations continue to have on our guests and our people, and we sincerely appreciate their patience and understanding as we resume operations.”  

WestJet is ramping up its operations as quickly and efficiently as possible, while ensuring the highest degree of safety. Guests are encouraged to continue checking the status of their flights before departing for the airport. 

This action ensures the airline can safely park its aircraft in a controlled manner, while enabling proactive communication and preventing the stranding of WestJet’s guests and crew.

WestJet has started cancelling flights, as the airline reacts to its Aircraft Maintenance Engineers and other Technical Operations employees plan to go on strike as of Friday, June 28 at 5:30 p.m. MT. This action ensures the airline can safely park its aircraft in a controlled manner, while enabling proactive communication and preventing the stranding of WestJet’s guests and crew. 

WestJet has presented the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA) with a Canadian industry-leading agreement that is better suited than the previously rejected tentative agreement. Just hours into day one of a mutually agreed to four-day bargaining period, the union served a strike notice. This timing could disrupt the travel plans of more than 250,000 guests scheduled to travel over the July long weekend and appears to be an attempt 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. 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 fulfil their travel plans this weekend,” said Diederik Pen, President of WestJet Airlines and Group Chief Operating Officer. 

In the coming 48-hours the WestJet Group will work to park aircraft, in a measured, phased and safe approach. WestJet is making every effort to reaccommodate all impacted guests.

“We remain at the bargaining table, committed to reaching an agreement; however, 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. As we initiate flight cancellations across our network, we will continue to manage our operations to the highest degree of safety,” concluded Pen. 

Union continues to reject Canadian industry-leading agreement, which would make WestJet AMEs best paid in country

WestJet on Tuesday received a second strike notification, in the span of just over a week, from the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA), the union that represents WestJet Aircraft Maintenance Engineers (AMEs) and other Technical Operations employees under the bargaining unit. The work stoppage, initiated by AMFA, could occur as early as Friday, June 28 at 5:30 p.m. MT in advance of the long weekend, where more than 70,000 guests per day are booked for travel. 

AMFA delivered strike notice less than one day into the parties’ mutual agreement to return to the bargaining table across four days. WestJet presented a revised industry leading offer, which would see WestJet AME’s receive a 22 per cent increase over four years, making them by far the best paid AMEs in Canada. The union’s ask far exceeds this mark by a long shot and remains unreasonable.  

“Receiving a second strike notification from the union after they mutually agreed with WestJet in front of the CIRB to return to the bargaining table in good faith for an additional four days following last week’s initial disruption, is disheartening and unacceptable for our guests, employees and the communities and businesses that rely on our service,” said Diederik Pen, President of WestJet Airlines and Chief Operating Officer. “We sincerely regret the stress and uncertainty AMFA’s tactics are causing Canadians, deliberately targeting especially the busy July long-weekend; however, we must hold strong on a reasonable outcome that protects affordable air travel for Canadians, for years to come.” 

WestJet is committed to the collective bargaining process and remains at the table to reach an agreement on reasonable terms. The Canadian Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) ruling on first contract arbitration, under section 80 of the Canada Labour Code, is still pending. 

“WestJet presented the union with its latest Canadian industry-leading offer. It was swiftly dismissed, and a strike notification issued, leaving us with no choice but to follow with a lockout notice to manage travel disruption to hundreds of thousands of guests. It is our obligation in the coming days to ensure the safety and orderly takedown of our network and to minimize the risk of stranding our guests, our crew and our aircraft,” concluded Pen. 

The union issuing notice does not mean travel disruption will occur. However, in the coming days, the WestJet Group will take all necessary actions to manage the impacts as much as possible, including: 

• Beginning preparations to operate a reduced schedule. 
• Proactively managing changes and cancellations, to ensure the ability to communicate with guests in advance of changes. 
  
• Providing flexible change and cancel options for those who wish to make alternate arrangements. 

Should flight delays or cancellations occur, impacted guests will be refunded or reaccommodated, as applicable. 

For guests who booked directly with WestJet, changes to existing travel will be directly communicated via the email address provided at the time of booking. Guests who booked through a travel agent or online booking agency, are asked to contact them directly.