More WestJet flight cancellations as strike hits tens of thousands of travellers

The Calgary-based airline has already cancelled more than 800 flights over the weekend in an effort to "maintain stability" amid a sudden strike by a mechanics union.

WestJet has cancelled more than 800 flights, upending plans for thousands of passengers as an unexpected strike by aircraft maintenance engineers entered its third day on the busiest travel weekend of the season.

Some 680 workers, whose daily inspections and repairs are essential to airline operations, walked off the job on Friday evening despite a directive from the federal labour minister Seamus O’Regan calling for binding arbitration.

In a news release, the Calgary-based airline said it had cancelled 832 flights as of Sunday as a result of the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association’s “unnecessary work stoppage.”

On Sunday alone, the airline grounded 424 flights. WestJet said it continues to seek intervention and is exploring “every possible avenue for resolution.”

“We continue to hold our view that the current strike serves no purpose other than to inflict maximum damage to our airline and the country,” said airline president Diederik Pen in the news release.

“WestJet is in receipt of a binding arbitration order and awaits urgent clarity from the government that a strike and arbitration cannot exist simultaneously.

“This is something they have committed to address and, like all Canadians, we are waiting.”

The job action comes after union members voted overwhelmingly to reject a tentative deal from WestJet in mid-June and following two weeks of tense talks between the two parties.