WestJet Pilots’ Wage Dispute Raises Concerns of Possible Strike, Flair Airlines Adds Flights

Higher wages continue to pose a challenge for WestJet Airlines and its pilots in reaching an agreement and avoiding a potential work stoppage. A smaller competitor, Flair Airlines, announced on Tuesday that it would be adding flights in case of a strike or lockout.

Pilots at WestJet, owned by Onex Corp, issued a notice on Monday that could result in strike action as early as May 19, raising concerns about travel disruptions during Canada’s Victoria Day holiday weekend. The airline has also issued a lockout notice.

North American pilots have advocated for increased salaries and improved scheduling, following significant gains made in a recent agreement with Delta Air Lines, including a 34% pay raise over four years.

Bernard Lewall, a union representative with the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), stated that progress has been made in terms of job protection and scheduling, but pay remains a significant point of contention. While he did not specify a specific wage target, he emphasized the need for WestJet to offer higher salaries to retain pilots.

WestJet, based in Calgary, aims for an agreement that is competitive within Canada’s airline industry. The carrier criticized the union’s expectation of approaching wages similar to those in the United States, despite operating in Canada.

In 2018, WestJet narrowly avoided a pilot strike.

Canadian Transport Minister Omar Alghabra took to Twitter, urging both parties to reach a “fair and reasonable deal.”

Flair Airlines, a Canadian budget carrier, announced on Tuesday that it would be adding additional domestic flights between Vancouver, Calgary, and Edmonton starting May 19. The move is intended to assist WestJet passengers who may face travel disruptions due to the potential strike.

WestJet’s main competitor, Air Canada, stated that its fleet was already fully deployed and had limited capacity to further increase flights.

WestJet has assured affected travelers that they would receive refunds or alternative accommodations, as appropriate.