WestJet Parks Boeing 737 Fleet Amid Labor Dispute

WestJet has started parking parts of its Boeing 737 fleet as a potential strike by flight attendants looms, raising concerns about widespread disruption for peak summer travelers in Canada and beyond.

The airline has begun positioning and parking aircraft across its network ahead of a possible walkout by cabin crew, with the majority of Boeing 737 jets affected. This move is similar to past labor showdowns, where WestJet gradually reduced its flying program and parked jets in the days leading up to a strike deadline.

Reports indicate that the airline is following a strategy to avoid having aircraft and crews stranded at outstations if operations are suddenly curtailed once job action is legally permitted to begin. Initial schedule cuts appear concentrated on longer routes and less frequent services, where recovery options are limited.

The dispute centers on compensation, scheduling rules, and unpaid duties for WestJet flight attendants, who have been in talks with the airline for several months over a new collective agreement. The union has already issued the required 72-hour strike notice, signaling that job action could legally begin as soon as that period expires if no deal is reached.