WestJet’s 4,400 flight attendants began a strike early on Sunday morning, August 2, 2026, after negotiations between the airline and the union representing them failed to produce a new contract before the strike deadline.
Flight Cancellations in Saskatoon and Regina
Following the strike’s commencement, WestJet suspended all flights during a peak summer travel weekend. Flights departing from Saskatoon International Airport to Calgary, Toronto, Vancouver, and Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota were cancelled on the same day. Flight cancellations also heavily affected Regina, disrupting travel plans for passengers in the region.
Members of CUPE Local 8125 and CUPE Saskatchewan President Kent Peterson held picket lines at Saskatoon International Airport
throughout the strike, signaling union solidarity and pressuring the carrier as the dispute unfolded.
Traveler Impact During Summer Travel Peak
The strike coincided with a busy summer travel weekend, resulting in widespread flight cancellations at Canadian airports including Saskatoon and Regina. The work stoppage directly impacted passengers scheduled on WestJet’s regional and cross-border routes, with picketing activity visible at Saskatoon International Airport where union members gathered to demonstrate.
