Ottawa residents with WestJet flights booked this weekend should double-check their travel plans. The airline has cancelled a total of 276 flights as of 3 p.m. MT on Saturday, with more disruptions expected as a flight attendants' strike deadline approaches on Sunday.
What's Happening
WestJet confirmed the cancellations mount as the airline's flight attendants edge closer to a strike deadline set for Sunday. While the airline hasn't released a route-by-route breakdown, cancellations of this scale typically ripple across the country's major hubs — and that includes Ottawa International Airport (YOW), which relies on WestJet for both direct flights and connections through western hubs like Calgary and Toronto.
For Ottawa travellers, this means a real chance of disrupted plans whether you're flying out for a weekend trip, connecting to a western Canadian destination, or waiting on a loved one to land. Airport disruptions like this tend to cascade quickly, with cancelled flights creating backlogs that can affect departures and arrivals for days after the initial trigger.
Why It Matters for Ottawa
Ottawa International Airport sees a steady stream of WestJet traffic, and any labour dispute affecting the airline's flight attendants has the potential to hit local travellers directly. If the strike deadline passes without a resolution, Ottawa passengers could see further cancellations, rebookings, and long lines at check-in counters heading into the work week.
Local travel agents and frequent flyers are advising Ottawa residents to sign up for flight alerts directly through WestJet and to check their booking status well before heading to the airport. Given how quickly the situation is evolving, even flights that appear on schedule today could be affected by tomorrow.
What Ottawa Travellers Should Do
If you have a WestJet flight booked out of Ottawa in the coming days, here's what you can do to stay ahead of the disruption:
- Check your flight status online before leaving for the airport — WestJet's app and website are being updated in real time as cancellations mount.
- Sign up for text or email alerts so you're notified immediately if your flight changes.
- Have a backup plan for ground transportation or alternate flights, especially if you're travelling for a time-sensitive event.
- Arrive early if your flight is still scheduled, since even operating flights may see delays as the airline manages the fallout.
WestJet has not yet indicated when normal operations might resume, and the outcome largely depends on whether a deal is reached before Sunday's strike deadline. Ottawa travellers are advised to stay tuned to official WestJet channels for the latest updates rather than relying on secondhand information.
This is a developing story, and further cancellations are possible as the strike deadline nears. Ottawa residents with upcoming travel plans should treat any WestJet booking as tentative until confirmed closer to departure.
Source: CBC Ottawa
