TORONTO — As negotiations between WestJet and CUPE come down to the wire, all the travel industry can do is watch and wait – and hope.

Travel advisors are keeping an eye out for cancellations, expected to start today if the two sides can’t make headway. Yesterday’s 72-hour strike notice from the flight attendants’ union started the countdown to 00:01 a.m. MT on Sunday, August 1, when 4,400 cabin crew will be in a legal strike position.

Two weeks ago, when the 99% strike vote mandate made headlines, Lesley Keyter with Calgary’s South Travel Inc. – operating and better known as The Travel Lady Agency – told Travelweek she wasn’t yet getting a huge amount of calls from clients worried about the possibility of the strike. But a lot has changed in two weeks, and she knew more queries would be coming in.

“We have clients in destination who are supposed to come home on Aug. 4, so we have been in touch with them,” says Keyter now. “Luckily they have travel insurance but naturally they are a bit on edge with that. We will have to monitor that file over the long weekend to see what happens, and how to advise them.”

The potential strike is hitting close to home for Keyter. Her own daughter is booked to go to Wales mid-August. Keyter says she purchased a refundable Air Canada ticket to London, just in case.

Air Canada says it is working with WestJet to rebook passengers on Air Canada flights wherever possible. “Our teams are making every effort to support WestJet passengers and provide available travel options based on demand and capacity,” said the airline on its site.

WestJet has also implemented flexible options for existing bookings for WestJet flights departing or returning between July 30 and Aug. 4, 2026. This applies for all WestJet Air, Sunwing Vacations, WestJet Vacations and Vacances WestJet Quebec bookings.

Keyter says she has other clients travelling later in August. “As we are in a wait and see situation it is hard to know what to do.”

Airlines facing down potential strikes know the federal government may step in and invoke Section 107 of the Canada Labour Code to get workers back on the job and into binding arbitration. Aviation industry expert John Gradek told Travelweek why that can be a risky move.

COMMISSION PROTECTION FOR PACKAGES

Travel advisors with WestJet clients are working around the clock.

In a heads up to travel advisors, WestJet says negotiations are ongoing “and we remain optimistic an agreement is forthcoming.”

WestJet is telling agencies that any impacted bookings including Groups will have ARCC notifications sent to the agent with options. Messaging can be found on the agent portal. Only impacted bookings will be contacted, and travel advisors are encouraged to use self-serve options for any cancellations.

If clients require assistance in destination they’re asked to reach out to the Nexus representative and refer to the app for updates.

WestJet has also notified travel agencies about commission protection for vacation packages.

“We understand and appreciate the extra work that is required from travel advisors during these times, therefore for this event only and during this time period (July 30 – Aug.4) travel agent commissions will be protected on vacation packages,” said WestJet in an agent update. Commissions on Group travel will be protected for up to 8%.

“The protection of commission may or may not be offered in future events, and we continue to encourage advisors to implement professional fees,” says WestJet.

WestJet also thanked advisors for their patience and understanding. “We very much appreciate your support and value our partnership.”