With tens of thousands of Canadians expected to travel over the B.C. Day long weekend, uncertainty surrounding a possible WestJet flight attendants’ strike is leaving many passengers wondering whether their travel plans will go ahead as scheduled. At Vancouver International Airport on Friday, travellers preparing for summer getaways said the possibility of disruptions was already top of mind. “We’re actually going to Toronto to visit family,” one passenger told CTV News. “I don’t want to get stuck, my work would be very upset.” WestJet has warned that approximately 70,000 passengers a day across Canada could be affected if a deal is not reached with the union representing its flight attendants. The two sides remain at odds over several issues, including wages and compensation for work performed while aircraft are on the ground. As negotiations continue, WestJet has begun parking some of its Boeing 737 aircraft, saying the move is intended to protect its network and reduce the risk of passengers being stranded should job action occur. “I don’t trust myself doing a 10-hour drive, so they’d better have the flights ready to go back,” another passenger said. The federal government says it is closely monitoring the situation, with mediators continuing to assist both sides in reaching an agreement. “The parties are at the table right now, and Canadians expect them to stay at that table and get a deal. The best deals are the ones that the parties arrive at together,” said federal Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu. The uncertainty comes during one of the busiest travel periods of the year. More than 340,000 passengers are expected to pass through Vancouver International Airport between Friday and Monday. The holiday rush is also being felt on the water. “B.C. Day Long Weekend is historically our busiest travel weekend of the year, so we’re operating on our full summer schedule,” said BC Ferries spokesperson Lilian Kim. “Last year, our major routes carried more than 400,000 passengers over the holiday weekend and we’re expecting similar demand this year.” Most vehicle reservations on major routes have already sold out, and the ferry operator is warning travellers without reservations to expect wait times that could stretch several hours. Back at YVR, travellers hoping to avoid disruptions said they were keeping a close eye on developments as negotiations continued. With a strike possible as early as Sunday, airlines, government officials and travellers alike are waiting to see whether a deal can be reached before long weekend travel plans are affected.
