HALIFAX — All WestJet departures and arrivals at Halifax Stanfield International Airport were cancelled Sunday after nearly 4,300 WestJet flight attendants walked off the job and the airline responded with a lockout, airport officials said.
Immediate disruption at the airport
As of 1:30 p.m. AT, airport authorities were advising travellers with WestJet flights scheduled over the next three days to check the status of their flights before coming to the terminal. Inside the airport, travellers bound for WestJet flights were being handed slips of paper with a customer-service phone number; callers reaching the line are routed to an automated message directing them to the airline's website because of high call volume.
About 30 WestJet flight attendants formed a picket line outside the terminal, while attendants inside the airport declined interview requests, saying they did not have permission to speak with the media. CBC News spoke to several passengers at Halifax Stanfield who said they were uncertain how WestJet would assist them or what alternative arrangements might be available.
What led to the walkout
The dispute centres on pay, according to the union representing WestJet flight attendants. They say members are not being fairly compensated and perform unpaid tasks, including ground duties. Negotiations between the union and the airline failed to produce a new collective agreement, triggering the walkout and the airline's lockout response.
| Detail | Figure / Status |
|---|---|
| Flight attendants who walked off | Nearly 4,300 |
| Pickets at Halifax terminal | About 30 |
| Flight operations at Halifax (as of 1:30 p.m. AT) | All WestJet arrivals and departures cancelled for the day |
Advice for travellers
Passengers whose travel plans are affected face uncertainty about rebooking, refunds and onward connections. Airport and airline channels are currently strained. Practical steps for travellers include:
- Check WestJet's website for the latest flight status and rebooking options.
- Allow extra time at the airport for assistance if you have no alternate arrangements.
- Have booking references and identification ready when contacting customer service.
- Monitor communications from connecting carriers and any ground-transportation providers for schedule changes.
Local impact and context
Halifax Stanfield is a key gateway for Atlantic Canada, and cancellations can ripple through local tourism, business travel and connections to other parts of the country. For many travellers, particularly those on tight itineraries, sudden cancellations impose costs and complications: missed meetings, additional accommodation needs or difficulties reaching final destinations.
Airport officials encouraged calm and preparedness while acknowledging that information from the airline and union will drive next steps. WestJet's automated phone response and heavy call volumes underline how quickly consumer-service systems can be overwhelmed during labour disputes.
Broader labour picture
The situation at WestJet is the latest in a string of high-profile labour disputes in the Canadian aviation sector in recent years, underscoring tensions over pay, working conditions and the expansion of duties for cabin crews. For communities that rely on frequent, reliable air service, such disputes draw attention to the vulnerability of travel networks when key worker groups exert leverage through job action.
At the local level, the strike-and-lockout sequence has left travellers and airport staff scrambling for information and solutions. For now, the message from Halifax Stanfield is straightforward: if you have a WestJet flight scheduled in the coming days, check before you go.
Further developments in the labour talks, or an announcement from WestJet on how it will assist affected customers, will determine whether service resumes quickly or whether disruptions extend into the week.
Reporting from Halifax.
