WestJet Cancels 40 Flights as Maintenance Engineers Announce Strike

WestJet is canceling dozens of flights this week due to labor action by the WestJet Aircraft Maintenance Engineers (AME) and other Tech Ops employees.

WestJet has canceled 40 flights through the end of Wednesday, June 19, impacting 6,500 guests. The cancellations are scattered across its route map, so all WestJet passengers should check with the airline before heading to the airport on Wednesday.

The airline said it would make “every effort to re-accommodate all impacted guests” and is reaching out to its guests and partners with options.

The cancellations are being made “to park aircraft in a safe and organized manner” ahead of the strike later this week, WestJet says. That allows it to avoid abandoning aircraft in remote locations and minimizes the potential for its crew to be stranded.

AME, which is represented by the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA), issued its 72-hour strike notice earlier this week after WestJet canceled negotiation plans that were scheduled for June 19 and 20 in Calgary.

WestJet instead filed with the Canada Industrial Relations Board to force AME to arbitrate the collective bargaining agreement termst. AMFA said shortly after that its members would strike starting at 9.m. EST on June 20.