The WestJet airline canceled 235 flights on Saturday, in addition to the 175 announced on Thursday and Friday. More than 55,000 travelers will be affected by these last-minute announcements during the long holiday.
• Read also: WestJet maintenance technicians on strike
• Read also: WestJet cancels flights ahead of long holiday
These cancellations are caused by the strike of the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA), which was called Friday evening, despite the recent resumption of negotiations.
The company had counted 150 flights in the morning on Saturday, then this number increased to reach 235 in the afternoon.
Cancelled flights are found all over the country.
“This situation is catastrophic,” said WestJet President Diederik Pen, placing the blame squarely on the union and warning that further cancellations could be expected “until the irrational strike action is called off or “immediate intervention takes place.”
Arguing that the decision did not prohibit the strike action, the mechanics’ union decided to go ahead on Friday evening, stressing that “the airline’s refusal to negotiate made the strike inevitable.”
Federal Labour Minister Seamus O’Regan is due to meet with the parties on Saturday afternoon to try to calm the situation.
Passengers affected by the situation can check the status of their flight on the WestJet website. More than 250,000 people had planned to travel with the Alberta airline over the long weekend.
WestJet operates 198 commercial aircraft to more than 100 destinations in nearly 30 countries.
– With information from AFP.
