CANADA's westjet cargo airline has grounded aircraft to minimize operational disruption and side effects ahead of a planned strike by pilots, reports New York's FreightWaves.
WestJet said it is staging a lockout so it can dismantle operations in an orderly way, cancelling flights gradually to avoid stranding aircraft in remote locations.
The labour action will negatively impact cargo customers, including companies utilizing the all-cargo network WestJet launched barely one month ago with three Boeing 737-800 converted freighters.
'The decision to cancel flights comes as the WestJet Group remains in a stalemate with the union regarding unreasonable wage expectations that if realized would permanently damage the financial viability of the group's future,' the company said.
'We deeply regret the disruption this will have on the travel plans of our guests and the communities and businesses that rely on our critical air service,' said CEO Alexis von Hoensbroech. 'We remain at a critical impasse with the union and have been left with no choice.'
WestJet, which is owned by private equity group Onex Corp, said it is parking the majority of its Boeing 737 narrowbody and 787 long-haul fleet in a phased approach. Bookings have started to decrease because of the uncertainty surrounding future operations.
Its 1,850 pilots, represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, want to be compensated similarly to their counterparts at other North American carriers. WestJet officials say giving Canadian pilots US-type compensation is not feasible because of wide differences in the nations' economies and that its proposal would make its narrowbody crews the highest paid in Canada.
Pilots in the US typically make twice as much as those in Canada.
SeaNews Turkey
WestJet said it is staging a lockout so it can dismantle operations in an orderly way, cancelling flights gradually to avoid stranding aircraft in remote locations.
The labour action will negatively impact cargo customers, including companies utilizing the all-cargo network WestJet launched barely one month ago with three Boeing 737-800 converted freighters.
'The decision to cancel flights comes as the WestJet Group remains in a stalemate with the union regarding unreasonable wage expectations that if realized would permanently damage the financial viability of the group's future,' the company said.
'We deeply regret the disruption this will have on the travel plans of our guests and the communities and businesses that rely on our critical air service,' said CEO Alexis von Hoensbroech. 'We remain at a critical impasse with the union and have been left with no choice.'
WestJet, which is owned by private equity group Onex Corp, said it is parking the majority of its Boeing 737 narrowbody and 787 long-haul fleet in a phased approach. Bookings have started to decrease because of the uncertainty surrounding future operations.
Its 1,850 pilots, represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, want to be compensated similarly to their counterparts at other North American carriers. WestJet officials say giving Canadian pilots US-type compensation is not feasible because of wide differences in the nations' economies and that its proposal would make its narrowbody crews the highest paid in Canada.
Pilots in the US typically make twice as much as those in Canada.
SeaNews Turkey
