What passengers need to know
More than 1,800 pilots at Westjet and its subsidiary Swoop could walk off the job if a deal is not reached by 6 a.m. Atlantic on Friday.
Westjet CEO Alexis von Hoensbroech says the company and its pilots’ union, Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), remain far apart on key sticking points — especially wages — as the clock winds down.
Capt. Bernard Lewall, a union representative, told National Post ALPA “will not negotiate in public and will choose to remain committed to negotiating a North American industry standard contract that will help fix the airlines’ pilot attraction and retention crisis.”
As the deadlock continues, the travel plans for thousands of passengers, ahead of the long weekend and beyond, hangs in the balance.
Westjet, Canada’s third largest carrier, has more than 16,700 flights slated for this month alone.
If strike action is taken, the Calgary-based airlines has said it’s expecting a “significant reduction” in flights.
As of early Thursday, Westjet’s online daily flight status tracker showed 32 of its 162 listed departures out of its Calgary hub had been cancelled, while 20 of the airline’s 50 flights out of Toronto’s Pearson airport had also been cancelled.
Westjet Group has said it’s parking the majority of its 737 and 787 fleet in a “measured, phased and safe approach,” according to a statement Thursday.
Westjet Link and Westjet Encore, which use smaller aircraft for feeder flights, will continue to operate, as will “limited 737 flights”, the company said.
Westjet passengers can get a one-time fee waiver to change or cancel their flight if booked between May 15 and 21. Those who decide to change their destination would have to pay for the difference in fares, whereas a refund would be offered if the customer cancels.
Passengers who booked through a travel agency or online booking agency are asked to contact them directly.
Swoop is offering onetime flight changes for flights booked between May 19 and 21. New flights can be selected between May 19 and June 21 (if available) for no difference in fair price, according to the company’s website.
However, passengers also have recourse if their flights are affected.
Regulations entitle passengers to a rebooking within 48 hours of a cancellation or three-hour-plus delay, according to the Canadian Transportation Agency.
If the airline can’t meet those obligations, the passenger can opt for a refund or alternate travel arrangements, free of charge, on “any airline travelling on a reasonable route from the same airport” — or from a nearby airport, and the carrier must “transport you there,” the agency website states.
“Our fleet is already fully deployed so we have minimal ability to increase capacity further; however, our staff are aware of the situation and prepared to assist,” Air Canada said while responding on the situation.
Air Canada added it would try to accommodate passengers looking for new bookings with the remaining available seats when possible.
One Westjet pilot leaves the airline every 18 hours “for a better work opportunity elsewhere, usually with our competitors,” according to the union.