WestJet canceled hundreds of flights beginning Sunday after flight attendants staged a strike, leaving thousands of passengers stranded domestically and internationally. The airline and the Canadian Union of Public Employees announced a tentative deal Monday to end the strike, but WestJet has not disclosed the agreement’s terms. Passengers like Marsha Manuel from Miramichi remain stranded in Lisbon, Portugal, facing uncertain return dates and elevated costs. Manuel extended hotel reservations by two nights amid persistent rebooking delays, with alternative Air Canada flights priced over $6,000.
Scouts Canada Groups Remain Stranded in Copenhagen
Multiple Scouts Canada youth and leader groups are among those affected overseas. Ryan O’Keefe, leading 13
children aged 12 to 16 near Quispamsis, reported no updates from WestJet and expressed concerns over supervision as some children traveled alone amid chaotic rebooking. The group, originally scheduled to return through Halifax airport Sunday, has incurred approximately $3,000 daily in hotel and meal expenses while awaiting flights. Another leader, Kevin Gleeton, manages 19 scouts from Rothesay also stranded in Copenhagen, with flights rebooked via complex routes through other countries. The necessity of two adult supervisors per youth, especially for six unaccompanied minors, complicated rerouting efforts.
Flight Cancellations and Airport Impact in New Brunswick
Greater Moncton Romeo LeBlanc International Airport experienced cancellations of WestJet flights to Calgary on
Sunday and Monday, while Tuesday saw flights to Edmonton and Calgary resume on schedule. At Fredericton International Airport, officials confirmed strike-related cancellations but reported WestJet flights as on time Tuesday. Spokesperson Lauren Guitard characterized disruptions in Moncton as minor. WestJet operates over 600 flights daily, estimating that 250,000 passengers nationwide could have been affected during the long weekend strike period. The airline stated it is entering a recovery phase but cautioned that fully restoring its network will require several days.
Official Statements and Passenger Experiences
WestJet committed to resolving the labour dispute and mitigating impacts on scheduled flights. The airline assured efforts to rebook travelers
on the next available flights and offered refunds through its website for those opting not to travel. Marsha Manuel described difficulty obtaining customer service, noting a cut-off call and a five-hour promised wait for rebooking information. She said, “I’m all for them getting equal wages, but my gosh, there’s got to be a better system than what they have in place right now.” Scouts leader Ryan O’Keefe highlighted the lack of communication, stating, “At one point they had children going on on their own through cities, and I don’t think they’re paying attention to our group.”
Travel Advisories from WestJet
WestJet advised travelers to
verify flight confirmation before arriving at airports due to ongoing cancellations resulting from the strike. The airline emphasized monitoring flight status and checking emails or texts for real-time updates. WestJet also noted that while the tentative deal represents progress, the persistent labour disruptions mean normal flight operations will resume gradually over several days.
