With more than 10 per cent of its fleet
continuing to undergo inspection and repairs due to the storm
system that impacted the airline's global hub on August 5, 2024, WestJet continues to issue
proactive cancellations across August to account for reduced
capacity
CALGARY,
AB, Aug. 14, 2024 /CNW/ - Following the
hailstorm that targeted Calgary on
the evening of August 5, 2024,
WestJet announced today it will continue issuing proactive
cancellations for the foreseeable future, as the airline works
diligently to safely return all 16 impacted aircraft to service. A
comprehensive assessment of the damage determined that sourcing
specialized equipment and materials and completing repairs and
inspections will take several weeks.
"We share in Canadians' frustration for the unpredictable
nature of this summer travel season and are incredibly disappointed
that the compounding impacts of last week's hailstorm continue to
disrupt the travel plans of our valued guests," said Diederik Pen, President of WestJet Airlines and
Chief Operating Officer, WestJet Group. "Our dedicated Tech Ops
teams have travelled from across our network to Calgary and Toronto where they are working around the
clock to return our fleet to its full capacity. We thank
everyone for their patience and support and are committed to doing
everything in our power to minimize the impact on our guests and
our people."
Through the proactive issuance of cancellations across the month
of August, WestJet will aim to minimize disruption, secure
reaccommodation options for those impacted wherever possible, while
providing guests with timely communication and options to
appropriately manage their own travel in advance. WestJet is
currently cancelling an average of 50 flights per day, however
anticipates fewer cancellations will be required as aircraft are
returned to service in a phased approach.
Watch Video: Gandeephan Ganeshalingam,
WestJet, Vice-President Tech Ops and Diederik Pen, President, WestJet Airlines and
Group Chief Operating Officer provide a comprehensive update on
fleet repair.
Video available for download here.
To minimize guest impact wherever possible, WestJet is actively
pursuing every avenue including adding additional flights operated
by WestJet Encore and partner, Canadian North, to help reduce
cancellations. Additionally, WestJet has engaged Boeing and the
Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA), the certified
union representing WestJet Aircraft Maintenance Engineers, to
secure additional resourcing and expedite aircraft repairs.
Contact Centre wait times and self-serve options
WestJet is currently experiencing very high volumes for
phone, email and social media support channels and guest support
teams are working diligently to assist as quickly as possible.
Robust improvements have been made across digital touchpoints of
the travel journey, enabling more self-serve options for
guests.
- For guests impacted by flight delays, cancellations
and changes, please proceed to your WestJet email notification and
leverage the unique live chat and self-serve links.
- For additional support and instructions on how to best
manage travel plans, please visit the Guest Updates page
- For non-imminent requests that cannot be self-served,
please book a call-back appointment at WestJet.com/contact
About WestJet
In 28 years of serving Canadians, WestJet has cut airfares in
half and increased the flying population in Canada to more than 50 per cent. WestJet
launched in 1996 with three aircraft, 250 employees and five
destinations, growing over the years to more than 180 aircraft,
14,000 employees and more than 100 destinations in 26
countries.
For more information about everything WestJet, please visit
westjet.com.
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SOURCE WESTJET, an Alberta Partnership