WestJet cancels 150 flights due to AMFA strike

DALLAS – Today, WestJet (WS) began canceling major flights due to the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA) strike.

Apparently, WS’s announcement that AMFA had withdrawn its strike notice last week and that both parties had “mutually agreed to return to the negotiating table to continue working on a solution” was not enough to find a solution and avoid further disruption to flight operations.

The airline is now warning that as a result of AMFA’s strike action, today’s “first 150 flight cancellations will affect approximately 20,000 passengers, with limited rebooking options available.”

To make matters worse, the airline said this morning that even more cancellations are expected if the strike is not ended or immediate action is not taken.

In order to minimize disruption, WS has asked the Minister of Labour and the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) to intervene quickly.

Total cancellations

Thursday, June 27 – Friday, June 28, 2024

• 25 cancellations
• 3300 guests affected

Saturday, June 29

• 150 rejections
• 20,000 guests affected

WestJet recommends that customers check the status of their flight before heading to the airport. Today, the airline began parking aircraft at stations across Canada with the intention of operating a significantly reduced schedule by the end of the day.

“A strike will not help anyone as these negotiations have already been subjected to binding arbitration. We know how painful this is for our guests and our employees. However, we must immediately begin safely parking our aircraft,” said Diederik Pen, President of WestJet Airlines and Chief Operating Officer of the Group.

“The scale of this intentional disruption is devastating and AMFA must be held accountable for its reckless actions. Without immediate action, significant disruption will needlessly harm tens of thousands of Canadians as well as the entire economic ecosystem that depends on our vital air service.”

WestJet said it had planned flights for more than 250,000 guests for the long weekend.