CALGARY — With negotiations ongoing but with its 4,400 flight attendants now on strike, WestJet has updated its running total of flight cancellations.

The list now includes a total of 600 cancellations …

. Sunday, August 2 as of 3 a.m. MT – 291 cancellations 

. Saturday, August 1 as of 11 p.m. MT – 33 cancellations

. Saturday, August 1 as of 3 p.m. MT – 78 cancellations

. Saturday, August 1 as of 11 a.m. MT – 86 cancellations

. Saturday, August 1 as of 9 a.m. MT – 32 cancellations

Friday, July 31 as of 9 p.m. MT – 80 cancellations

“IT WASN’T ACCEPTED”

With WestJet’s flexible change policy, passengers travelling before August 5, 2026 who have not received a flight cancellation, can make a one-time change or cancellation at no additional cost. More details can be found on WestJet’s Travel Advisories page. 

Also this week, TICO posted need-to-knows for consumers and travel advisors about impacted vacation package bookings that include a WestJet flight.

WestJet shared details of the deal it offered CUPE, as reported earlier today. “We’re disappointed to be here; this directly impacts the travel plans of our guests, our WestJetters and the communities and businesses we serve,” said WestJet CEO Alexis von Hoensbroech, after the offer was rejected and the strike got underway. 

He added: “Our focus remains on staying available for the union to reach an agreement. We presented a proposal that would have set a new standard for cabin crew in Canada, making WestJet the only airline to offer an hourly rate covering all time before and after flights, plus a double-digit wage increase in year one among other priorities the union raised. Unfortunately, it wasn’t accepted.”

“BOTH PARTIES CAN AND SHOULD COME TO AN AGREEMENT AT THE BARGAINING TABLE”: HAJDU

Minister Hajdu has not said whether the federal government plans to intervene. 

In a Facebook post this morning Minister Hajdu said: “Over the past 2 days I have been on the ground with both WestJet and CUPE in Calgary as they continued their collective bargaining negotiations. I have also met with both parties separately throughout the bargaining process.

“Our top mediators have been working with CUPE and WestJet around the clock and remain available to help them reach a deal as soon as possible.

“As of 00:01 (MDT) both parties have not reached a deal and have begun their strike and lockout action. This is a disappointing development. A strike or lockout does not mean an agreement can’t be reached; the expectation is that both parties can and should come to an agreement at the bargaining table.

“The federal government will always maintain that the strongest deals happen at the table. Canadians are counting on them to put their best efforts forward to reach a deal at the bargaining table.”

“ACT IMMEDIATELY”: TIAC TELLS FEDERAL GOVT.

Meanwhile the Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC) is calling on the government to act immediately to resolve the labour disruption and restore air service.

Coming less than a year after the Air Canada labour dispute, the WestJet shutdown poses risks to travellers, communities, Canada’s $140 billion tourism industry and the country’s reputation as a reliable destination,”said TIAC.

In a letter to Minister Hajdu, President and CEO Sébastien Benedict said TIAC is “urging the federal government to act immediately” to help resolve the labour disruption.

“TIAC respects the right to collective bargaining and supports the parties in reaching a fair agreement. However, the strike is now underway, WestJet’s operations have been shut down, and the consequences for travellers, businesses, workers and communities are already serious,” said Benedict in his letter.

Noting the uncertainty and disruption caused by last summer’s strike by Air Canada’s flight attendants, Benedict said: “Canada cannot continue to face repeated shutdowns involving its largest airlines. … The federal government must act urgently and use every available tool to bring the parties together, restore air service and secure a fair and timely resolution. The stakes are too high, and the economic and reputational damage will grow with each day this disruption continues.”

During last summer’s Air Canada strike, the federal government invoked Section 107 of the Canada Labour Code, aimed at getting striking workers back on the job and into binding arbitration. The union defied the back-to-work order until ultimately a deal was reached.

WestJet’s Travel Advisory page has all passenger and travel-related questions, and westjet.com/cabincrew has the latest updates on bargaining. For WestJet’s July 30 heads up to travel advisors, click here. For information on how WestJet is working with Air Canada to accommodate passengers, click here.