With its mechanics poised for a potential strike, WestJet is cautioning it may have to start cancelling flights on 27JUN. And it says cancellations could reach double digits.
"First cancellations can be expected for tomorrow," WestJet CEO Alexis von Hoensbroech said on 26JUN. "(WestJet) guests should call the airline to check for their flight.”
“We can’t just stop flying at a certain point in time, so we need to orderly wind down," von Hoensbroech said in a story posted on the CBC news site. “And I think it was seen last week that this will require some cancellations ahead of it.
So, if there's no resolution inside (at the bargaining table), which I don't see right now, then first cancellations can be expected for tomorrow."
According to CTV, von Hoensbroech said WS was still working through its plan, but that the initial number of cancellations would likely be "a double-digit number, that will grow as we approach the strike deadline Friday."
He added that the airline would be able to maintain a number of flights in the event of a strike, serving international and continental routes. The most likely impacted routes would be domestic and Caribbean routes, and others within the North American corridor.
WestJet cancelled some 40 flights last week, affecting roughly 6,500 pax, when the airline mechanics union had a strike deadline set for 20JUN. The Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA) rescinded the strike notice after both sides agreed to return to the bargaining table.
Talks began again this week, but ended quickly. The mechanics union on 26JUN set another strike notice for 28JUN at 5:30 p.m. MT, which would severely disrupt Canada Day travel plans for pax and advisors.
Von Hoensbroech told the CBC that the airline is offering an industry-leading, 22% wage increase over four years. He also said the union is making unreasonable demands."All other unions would immediately shake hands over a deal like this," von Hoensbroech said.
The union said its members have been locked out by WestJet, but that bargaining will pick up again on 27JUN in Toronto.
Given the harsh words on both sides, a deal won’t be easy.
