The airline announced its status update shortly after the tentative deal with the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), which represents WestJet flight attendants. Details of the agreement were not disclosed in the public brief, but WestJet indicated that it would shift its focus toward resuming schedules, clearing backlogs, and addressing customer service impacts from the strike actions and related delays.
Industry observers noted that the move into a recovery phase typically follows a concessionary agreement and an agreement on key terms such as pay, benefits, and working conditions, though the specifics remain private pending formal ratification. The union leadership had earlier described the talks as constructive, with both sides working toward a resolution to minimize travel disruption and restore confidence among passengers.
Passengers experienced delays and cancellations in the days leading up to the tentative agreement, with many flights affected across multiple WestJet hubs. The airline had previously urged travelers to check flight statuses and contact customer service for rebooking options. It also indicated that it would be gradually resuming operations as staffing levels stabilized and crews returned from standby duties.
Analysts say the transition to a recovery phase often depends on the speed at which flight crews return to scheduled rosters and the airline’s ability to rebook passengers onto available flights. WestJet stated that it remained committed to working with CUPE to finalize the agreement and to restoring full service levels as quickly as possible.
The union has not yet released a formal ratification decision, and the company has not provided a detailed timetable for returning to full capacity. Both parties will likely continue to communicate proactively with travelers as operations normalize in the coming days.
