WestJet strike: Here's how many Vancouver flights are affected so far
With negotiations between WestJet and its pilots' union still at what the airline calls a "critical impasse," flight cancellations began across the country Thursday.
Some 1,800 pilots at WestJet and its Swoop subsidiary are poised to walk off the job Friday after the Air Line Pilots Association issued a strike notice earlier this week.
WestJet said in a statement early Thursday that negotiations remained "in a stalemate" and that it "had no choice" but to begin preparing for a work stoppage by parking the majority of its 737 and 787 fleet and cancelling flights.
At Vancouver International Airport, a total of 29 flights had been cancelled as of 11:30 a.m., according to the airline's website. Seventeen were departures and 12 were arrivals.
Flights from YVR to Cancun, Los Angeles and Hawaii were among those affected, as were flights to domestic destinations including Toronto, Calgary, Montreal, Ottawa, Edmonton, Winnipeg and Saskatoon.
Arriving flights from Los Angeles, Toronto, Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg and Saskatoon had all been cancelled.
In a statement, YVR advised WestJet passengers to check the status of their flight on the airline's website before heading to the airport, adding that WestJet is advising passengers on cancelled flights not to go to the airport for assistance.
Information for WestJet passengers can be found on the airline's website.
"As always, our guest experience staff and green coat volunteers are available at information counters and throughout the airport to assist passengers," YVR said. "Flight schedules and overall operations at YVR are otherwise not affected."
With more than 4,000 flights scheduled over the next seven days, WestJet carries 28 per cent of Canada's domestic market, while Air Canada runs 47 per cent, according to flight data firm Cirium.
With files from The Canadian Press
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
Documents reveal Ottawa's efforts to get Loblaw, Walmart on board with grocery code
It was evident to the federal government as early as last fall that Loblaw and Walmart might be holdouts to the grocery code of conduct, jeopardizing the project's success.
opinion The special relationship between King Charles and the Princess of Wales
Royal commentator Afua Hagan writes that when King Charles recently admitted Catherine to the Order of the Companions of Honour, it not only made history, but it reinforced the strong bond between the King and his beloved daughter-in-law.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Improve balance and build core strength with this exercise
When it comes to cardiovascular fitness, you may tend to focus on activities that move you forward, such as walking, running and cycling.
'I just want to be safe': Ukrainian man in Canada faces limbo amid consular freeze
A recent decision to restrict consular services for fighting-aged Ukrainian men has made a Ukrainian man in Canada feel less certain of his next steps — and worried he could be pulled back to the war.
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Dozens of U.S. deaths reveal risks of injecting sedatives into people restrained by police
The practice of giving sedatives to people detained by police has spread quietly across the U.S. over the last 15 years, built on questionable science and backed by police-aligned experts, an investigation led by The Associated Press has found.