Service update: WestJet works to restore full operations following labour disruption

Status of operations – as of Wednesday, July 3, 2024

WestJet’s operations have stabilized, with the airline projecting minimal future cancellations in relation to the labour events impacting July long weekend.  

Guests with imminent travel plans are advised to check the status of their flight prior to leaving for the airport. Please visit WestJet’s Guest Updates page for more information regarding flight status, travel changes and more. 

Total cancellation summary as of July 3, 2024, at 12:00 p.m. MT

Due to the labour strike and related disruption to WestJet’s operations that began 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. 

Status of operations – as of Tuesday, July 2, 2024

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.

Total cancellation summary as of July 2, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. MT

Guest impact

• More than 100,000 guests impacted

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. Please visit WestJet’s Guest Updates page for more information regarding flight status, travel changes and more.

Status of operations – as of Monday, July 1, 2024 – 11:00 a.m. MT

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

Total cancellation summary as of July 1, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. MT

Guests with imminent travel plans are advised to check the status of their flight prior to leaving for the airport. Please visit WestJet’s Guest Updates page for more information regarding flight status, travel changes and more.