WestJet has now begun the process of fully restoring services to its network after a weekend of chaos.
At 1:30 am ET on Monday, July 1, 2024, the union representing WestJet’s aircraft maintenance engineers confirmed the end of their strike.
Members of the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA) are now being directed to immediately start work to fully restore services.
Given the highly disruptive nature of the strike, the airline states it will take some time and further disruptions over the coming week to return aircraft and crew back into position.
Both the airline and AMFA resumed talks on Sunday for the first time since Thursday, June 27.
“The damage to Canadians and our airline is massive, a swift resolution was necessary; we take no victory laps on this outcome but will sleep better tonight knowing further harm has been prevented,” said Diederik Pen, President of WestJet Airlines and Group Chief Operating Officer, in a statement early Monday morning.
“We will see no further labour action coming out of this dispute, as both parties agree to arbitrate the contract in the case of a failed ratification.”
With no warning, and after previously indicating that it would not strike following the federal government’s order for binding arbitration, AMFA suddenly began its job action on the evening of Friday, June 28.
As of Sunday afternoon, a total of 832 WestJet flights had been cancelled since Thursday evening, affecting over 100,000 travellers during the busy Canada Day long weekend. This includes 18 cancellations on Thursday, 25 on Friday, 284 on Saturday, 424 on Sunday, 78 on Monday, and three on Tuesday.
There have been reports of many travellers stranded at airports.
WestJet reported that it parked 130 aircraft at 13 airports across the country, as its network takedown could not happen in an orderly manner as originally planned in the event of a strike.