Technicians on strike: WestJet cancels more than 235 flights for the long weekend

WestJet cancelled 235 flights on Saturday, in addition to the 175 flights announced on Thursday and Friday. More than 55,000 passengers will be affected by these last-minute announcements during the long holiday.

• Read also: WestJet maintenance technicians are on strike

• Read also: WestJet cancels flights on the eve of the long holiday

These cancellations come due to the Aircraft Mechanics Association (AMFA) strike called on Friday evening, despite the recent resumption of negotiations.

The company counted 150 flights on Saturday morning, then this number rose to 235 in the afternoon.

Canceled flights were found across the country.

“This situation is catastrophic,” said WestJet CEO Diederik Penn, placing the blame squarely on the union and warning that more cancellations could be expected “until the irrational strike is called off or immediate intervention is made.”

Stressing that the decision did not prohibit the strike, the mechanics' union decided to go ahead on Friday evening, stressing that “the airline's refusal to negotiate made the strike inevitable.”

Federal Labour Minister Seamus O'Regan is due to meet with various parties on Saturday afternoon to try to calm the situation.

Passengers affected by the situation can check the status of their flight at Westgate website. More than 250,000 people planned to travel with Alberta Airlines this long weekend.

WestJet operates 198 commercial aircraft to more than 100 destinations in approximately 30 countries.

-With information from Agence France-Presse.