File photo.
WestJet responded to anxious passengers wondering about snarls to upcoming travel plans because of a looming pilots’ strike that refunds will be provided.
The company says refunds will be in the form of the original payment.
Pilots voted 91 per cent in favour of strike action and are in the legal position to start walking out May 19, but have promised to hold off until May 22 after the Victoria Day long weekend.
The Air Line Pilots Association, representing 1,500 WestJet pilots, says negotiations will resume next week in Halifax and plan to stay there until a deal is worked out.
The airline is telling it’s passengers it is confident a deal will be struck.
Although they are being promised a refund, WestJet customers are telling the airline it’s not enough.
Many on Twitter are concerned about being stranded away from home or the added expense of catching a flight on a different airline because of the short notice to book.
Unfortunately, we don’t have any further information on that at this time. In the event your flight is cancelled due to the labour dispute, we will provide a refund. We remain confident that we will come to an agreement. In the meantime, it is business as usual.
— WestJet (@WestJet) May 11, 2018
I will end up having to pay, almost just as much as the roundtrip, but for the return flight only if I have to make arrangements with Air Canada. I really hope I get more than just half a refund. I incur more costs as a result.
— Vindian Diesel (@Brobassador) May 11, 2018
@WestJet in the even on a strike, a full refund does not resolve the issue at all. Passengers should be compensated for the difference if the alternative flight costs more than the original flight. Which is the likely case since they will be last minute bookings. #westjetstrike
— mandie keay (@mandie_keay) May 11, 2018
Do you realize the anxiety you are inflicting on your customers? We are looking for answers, not vague responses created by your lawyers. Refunds are paltry in comparison to the impact of the situation. You owe a better response to your customers.
— Al Henderson (@AlMHendy) May 11, 2018
Rival airline Air Canada is taking advantage of WestJet’s labour situation, announcing it is adding capacity to key transcontinental routes.
We’ve now added capacity on key transcontinental routes in response to the @WestJet strike vote mandate. More: https://t.co/13XSPijbAN
— Air Canada (@AirCanada) May 10, 2018
Andy Neal
