AviationNews – Canadian carrier WestJet has canceled transatlantic flights between Halifax and Amsterdam Schiphol for consecutive days following a nationwide strike by its cabin crew. The dispute has grounded hundreds of flights, disrupting transatlantic schedules during the peak summer holiday travel season.
The labor stoppage involves roughly 4,400 flight attendants represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Local 8125. The primary point of contention centers on compensation for unpaid ground time, with union leaders demanding full duty pay starting from the moment flight crew members check in and begin pre-flight duties. Contract negotiations failed after the previous collective agreement expired, prompting WestJet to wind down its mainline Boeing 737 and Boeing 787 operations to avoid stranding aircraft and crews abroad.
Aviation compensation models traditionally calculate cabin crew pay based on flight block hours—the time between aircraft gate departure and arrival—rather than total duty time. Under this structure, flight attendants perform critical tasks like passenger boarding, safety inspections, and flight prep without direct hourly compensation. The strike forced WestJet to cancel more than 600 flights across its network, significantly impacting key international routes including the non-stop link between Halifax Stanfield and Amsterdam Schiphol.
“Our focus remains on staying available for the union to reach an agreement that recognizes our employees while ensuring long-term financial stability,” stated WestJet Chief Executive Officer Alexis von Hoensbroech regarding the negotiations. “We are deeply disappointed by the disruption this job action has caused for our guests across the entire network.”
After intense weekend bargaining, WestJet and CUPE reached a tentative agreement to end operational disruptions, paving the way for a full network recovery in the coming days. Flight attendants will now vote on whether to ratify the proposed contract settlement.
The resolution marks a major shift toward compensation reform for ground work across the Canadian airline industry. While WestJet works to clear passenger backlogs and restore its full transatlantic flight schedule, travelers should confirm their flight status before heading to the airport.
