WestJet’s 4,400 flight attendants initiated a strike early on Sunday, August 2, 2026, leading to the cancellation of all mainline flights from Regina and Saskatoon during one of the busiest summer travel weekends. The strike followed the failure to reach a new collective agreement between the airline and the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), which represents WestJet flight attendants.
CUPE Picket Lines at Saskatoon International Airport
Members of CUPE Local 8125, alongside CUPE Saskatchewan President Kent Peterson, picketed at Saskatoon International Airport on August 2, 2026. Although Saskatoon is not a WestJet base, the presence of flight attendants residing in the area prompted the picketing. Peterson
emphasized that members had been without a contract for over 200 days and highlighted ongoing disputes over unpaid work, stating, “Every worker should be paid for every second they are at work, and unfortunately that is just not the case for WestJet’s cabin crew.”
Passenger Disruptions in Regina and Saskatoon
Flights from Regina to Toronto, Halifax, and Vancouver were cancelled on Sunday, and Saskatoon routes to Calgary, Toronto, Vancouver, and Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN, were also affected. Passenger Jarod Eagles, stranded in Regina, faced a cancelled connecting flight from Calgary to Phoenix after his WestJet Encore flight from Regina to Calgary operated as scheduled. Eagles described the
difficulties in securing alternative travel routes, lamenting, “What’s the point of getting to Calgary if I have no other option?” He also expressed concern about the costs and logistics of last-minute bookings, having previously secured lower fares.
Additional passengers at Regina International Airport reported long waits and canceled flights, and the airport deployed extra security and customer service personnel to assist those impacted. Some travellers reported concerns about overnight stays, with few accommodation options readily available.
Operational Impact on Regina Airport and WestJet Services
Regina International Airport President and CEO James Bogusz estimated that approximately 600 to 700 seats were removed from the city’s air-service market due to
WestJet cancelling all flights operated by larger Boeing 737 aircraft on August 2, 2026. WestJet accounted for around 60% of total seat capacity at Regina, making the strike disruption larger than the comparable 2025 Air Canada flight attendant strike. Bogusz cautioned that resuming full mainline service post-strike would require a substantial ramp-up period once an agreement is reached.
WestJet Encore flights continued to operate normally on August 2, alongside services by Air Canada and United Airlines at Regina International Airport. Bogusz advised passengers to review entire itineraries carefully, as some Encore flights may connect to cancelled mainline segments.
Contract Negotiations and WestJet’s Latest Proposal
Negotiations between
WestJet and CUPE continue in Calgary, with the strike triggered after more than 200 days without a collective agreement. WestJet issued a 72-hour lockout notice on August 30, 2026, the same day CUPE gave strike notice. WestJet’s recent offer included a 13% wage increase starting October 2026 with retroactive pay to January 1, 2026, a 12% duty pay premium, a 13% per diem increase, yearly $300 healthcare spending accounts, expanded vacation, and a 17-week postpartum maternity leave top-up. Additional proposals involved scheduling improvements such as reduced maximum duty days and extra rest hours.
The union rejected the offer, considering it
inadequate, especially regarding compensation for unpaid work on the ground—a key sticking point following a similar dispute at Air Canada in 2025.
Official Responses and Passenger Guidance
James Bogusz described the situation at Regina as significant, with hundreds of seats lost from the market. WestJet CEO Alexis von Hoensbroech expressed disappointment over the strike, emphasizing the company’s focus on ongoing negotiations and the attempt to set a new Canadian standard with its pay proposal. CUPE Local 8125 President Alia Hussain stated the strike resulted from the belief that workers deserve better pay and conditions, asserting readiness to return to negotiations.
Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu expressed
disappointment that a deal could not prevent disruption, reiterating that the strongest agreements occur at the bargaining table but gave no indication of imminent government intervention.
WestJet committed to refunding or reaccommodating affected passengers. Travelers are advised to verify the full status of their travel itineraries, particularly connecting flights, before departing for their flights to avoid unnecessary delays or disruptions.
