Union's deliberate actions impacting
approximately 20,000 guests' travel plans
CALGARY,
AB, June 28, 2024 /CNW/ - 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.
Total cancellation summary
Thursday, June 27 – Friday, June 28, 2024
- ~25 cancellations
- ~3300 guests impacted
Saturday, June 28
- ~150 cancellations
- ~20,000 guests impacted
Guests travelling 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.
About WestJet
In 28 years of serving Canadians, WestJet has cut airfares in
half and increased the flying population in Canada to more than 50 per cent. WestJet
launched in 1996 with three aircraft, 250 employees and five
destinations, growing over the years to more than 180 aircraft,
14,000 employees and more than 100 destinations in 26
countries.
For more information about everything WestJet, please visit
westjet.com.
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SOURCE WESTJET, an Alberta Partnership