WestJet schedule stabilizes after disruptive cabin-crew strike

CALGARY — WestJet’s flight network was approaching normal operations Wednesday after a tentative labour agreement ended a strike by the airline’s cabin crew.

Aviation data firm Cirium reported no cancellations among WestJet’s 460 scheduled mainline flights as of Wednesday morning. The figure excludes WestJet Encore and remained subject to change. Only 16 of 446 mainline flights were cancelled Tuesday.

The improvement follows six days of disruption during which WestJet cancelled 925 of 2,837 scheduled mainline flights, or approximately one-third of its network. An estimated 250,000 travellers were affected as the airline gradually parked aircraft in advance of the strike and then repositioned planes and crews after an agreement was reached.

WestJet and the Canadian Union of Public Employees reached a tentative deal Monday covering approximately 4,400 flight attendants. The agreement addresses compensation for duties performed outside normal flight time and must still be ratified by union members.

WestJet is maintaining a recovery advisory through August 6. The airline says passengers should confirm their flight before travelling to the airport and monitor their email, text messages and itinerary for changes.