WestJet begins restoring flights after tentative deal ends work stoppage

WestJet is gradually restoring its schedule after reaching a tentative contract agreement with the Canadian Union of Public Employees, ending the cabin-crew strike and employer lockout that disrupted travel over the August long weekend.

The agreement, announced Monday, Aug. 3, still requires ratification by WestJet cabin crew. The airline has not released the complete terms of the tentative deal.

At Vancouver International Airport, passengers may continue to face cancellations, delays and other changes as WestJet rebuilds its operation. The airline suspended all mainline flights Sunday; 88 WestJet flights were cancelled at YVR that day, about 10 per cent of the airport’s scheduled flights, according to the report.

WestJet said the broader disruption affected the travel plans of about 250,000 passengers. YVR is deploying additional terminal staff and advises travellers to confirm their flight information directly with WestJet before heading to the airport.

WestJet’s previously publicized final offer included a 13 per cent wage increase effective Oct. 1, 2026, subsequent annual increases, retroactive pay and a duty-pay premium, among other items. The company has not said which provisions were retained or changed in Monday’s tentative agreement.

WestJet Encore Q400 flights and codeshare flights operated by partner airlines were not affected by the labour disruption.