WestJet flight cancellations mount; "The parties can & should reach a deal," says Minister Hajdu

This article was updated on Sunday, August 2, at 1:46 a.m. EST

WestJet has begun winding down its flight network and issuing cancellations ahead of a possible strike by its flight attendants, saying the move is necessary to protect its operations as labour negotiations continue.

In an update issued late Friday (July 31), the Calgary-based carrier said it had initiated an "organized take-down" of its network and would begin notifying affected passengers of flight cancellations.

The airline said the decision comes in response to the Canadian Union of Public Employees' (CUPE) 72-hour strike notice and the two sides' failure, so far, to reach a tentative agreement.

Unless a deal is reached, the earliest a strike or lockout could begin is Sunday, Aug. 2, at 12:01 a.m. MT (2:01 a.m. ET).

“To ensure the integrity of WestJet’s network, and to minimize the risk of stranding guests and aircraft, the airline has started to issue cancellations and reduce flying,” the airline wrote in a statement.

"These actions ensure the airline has complete control of its operations and can communicate with guests and crew to minimize people being stranded." 

309 flights cancelled

WestJet's network-wide flight cancellations have now climbed to 309 as the airline continues its planned reduction of operations.

The latest update adds 33 more cancellations as of 11 p.m. MT on Saturday, following 78 cancellations earlier in the afternoon, 86 by 11 a.m., 32 by 9 a.m., and 80 cancellations announced Friday evening. 

WestJet operates approximately 560 routes each day. 

Calgary–Vancouver route is the hardest hit

According to Cirium data that was posted at 3:35 p.m. EST, the WestJet route with the highest number of cancellations is Calgary (YYC) to Vancouver (YVR), with seven cancellations. 

Several other key domestic routes operated by WestJet have recorded three cancellations each, including Calgary–Toronto, Vancouver–Calgary, Edmonton–Calgary, Calgary–Victoria and Toronto–Calgary. 

A smaller number of cancellations have also affected routes between Cancun and Toronto, Toronto and Vancouver, Toronto and Edmonton, and Calgary and Kelowna, each with two cancellations.

In a separate Aug. 1 update, Sunwing Vacations, as part of the WestJet Group, said the impact of the cancellations is currently limited, with most Sunwing flights continuing to operate as scheduled.

“You will receive a flight disruption notification only if your flight has been cancelled. Please monitor your email for options from Sunwing Vacations,” wrote the tour operator on its website.

WestJet has implemented a Flexible Change/Cancel policy for travel scheduled between now and Aug. 4, 2026. Click here for details.

WestJet Encore flights booked on a Q400 and WestJet codeshare flights operated by airline partners are not impacted by the labour disruption.

A “new benchmark” for cabin crew? 

In its latest bargaining update, WestJet said the union has rejected what it described as a "transformative, industry-leading" agreement for its cabin crew, arguing the offer directly addressed the union's key priorities raised throughout negotiations.

According to the airline, the proposal accepted the union's concept for additional compensation before and after flights, representing a double-digit increase in pay.

It also included an additional double-digit wage increase in the first year, on top of the new compensation model, followed by what WestJet called "meaningful wage increases" over the life of the agreement.

The airline said it also proposed significant scheduling and quality-of-life improvements aimed at providing cabin crew with greater flexibility and predictability.

WestJet said the proposal would have set a “new benchmark” for cabin crew compensation and quality-of-life provisions while supporting the airline's long-term sustainability.

The carrier also argued the agreement would have made it the only airline in Canada to pay an “hourly rate for everything,” while exceeding the total compensation benchmark established in the country's most recent peer collective agreement.

"WestJet remains committed to reaching a negotiated agreement and believes a deal is within reach," the airline wrote in its update, which was posted at 11:47 a.m. MT on Saturday.

Will Ottawa intervene?  

If there is a strike, the federal government could invoke Section 107 of the Canada Labour Code, which gives it the authority to intervene to "maintain or secure industrial peace."

The provision was used last summer after Air Canada's flight attendants walked off the job when contract talks broke down.

At the time, Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu directed the Canada Industrial Relations Board to impose binding arbitration in an effort to end the strike and return workers to their jobs.

The flight attendants remained on the picket line despite the order until a negotiated agreement was eventually reached.

In the case of WestJet’s flight attendants, CUPE has urged the government not to intervene in the dispute, instead calling on Ottawa to respect the collective bargaining process and allow both sides to reach a fair negotiated settlement.

Minister Hajdu issued a statement on Saturday, saying that she was in Calgary with CUPE and WestJet as the two sides worked toward a tentative deal. 

“Both parties are working hard to renew their collective agreement,” stated Minister Hajdu. “Our government has always maintained that the best deals are reached at the bargaining table. With federal mediators supporting negotiations since May, the parties can and should reach a deal. Canadians are counting on it.”

Travellers can check WestJet’s Travel Advisory page for all guest and travel-related questions and here for the latest updates on bargaining. 

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