As WestJet pilots issued a 72-hour notice of a strike, Flair Airlines told Open Jaw on 15MAY it is "ready and willing" to add contingency flights to assist WestJet customers continue their travels.
"Flair Airlines is preparing contingency plans in the event of a strike action by WestJet pilots," the statement read.
The airline noted it has seen an "increase in bookings on many routes" with reports of a potential strike.
These contingency plans may be put into action—WestJet pilots issued a 72 hour strike notice to the airline at 10:00pm ET 15MAY. The notice allows the union to begin job action as early as evening 19MAY.
As previously reported by Open Jaw, 1,850 WestJet and Swoop pilots who are Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) union members have been negotiating a new contract since fall of 2022. ALPA and its pilot members reportedly continue to push for a “North American / industry-standard contract,” which would narrow the gap between wages at WestJet and other airlines in North America, particularly those in the U.S. The airline maintains the Canadian market can't sustain American pilot wage levels and that it's offering a fair deal.
