10% of all flights at Vancouver International Airport cancelled today due to WestJet strike
About one in every 10 flights scheduled at Vancouver International Airport (YVR) today has been cancelled after WestJet suspended its mainline operations amid a strike by the airline’s cabin crew.
As of the morning of Sunday, August 2, 2026, 88 WestJet flights had been cancelled at YVR, representing approximately 10 per cent of all flights scheduled at the airport on this day.
WestJet temporarily suspended its mainline flights after contract negotiations with the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), which represents the airline’s unionized cabin crew across Canada, failed to produce an agreement.
- You might also like:
- WestJet takes a 'difficult' crucial step as it faces strike
- WestJet cancels five Vancouver flight routes to the U.S. this winter
- Nearly 2.8 million passengers recorded at Vancouver International Airport during FIFA World Cup
- Inside the global competition to bring new airlines and routes to Vancouver International Airport
The cancellations do not affect every flight carrying a WestJet flight number.
WestJet Encore flights operated using Q400 aircraft remain in service, including 20 flights scheduled at YVR today. Codeshare flights operated by WestJet’s airline partners are also unaffected.
YVR says all other airlines are otherwise operating according to schedule.
The airport is increasing the number of employees working inside its terminals to assist affected travellers, but it is urging WestJet passengers to confirm their travel arrangements before heading to Richmond.
“WestJet passengers should not come to YVR unless they have a confirmed itinerary,” the airport authority stated today in its bulletin.
WestJet is contacting affected passengers directly by email or text message with information about cancellations and changes to their itineraries. Travellers can also check their flight status through WestJet’s website or mobile app.
The strike involves approximately 4,400 WestJet flight attendants represented by CUPE. Compensation for work performed before and after flights, wages, scheduling, and quality-of-life provisions have been among the central issues during negotiations.
WestJet said its latest proposal accepted the union’s proposed approach for providing additional compensation before and after flights, which the airline said would amount to a double-digit increase in compensation.
According to the airline’s separate bulletin today, the offer also included an additional double-digit increase to wage rates during the first year of the proposed agreement, followed by further increases during the remainder of the contract. WestJet said it also offered scheduling changes intended to give cabin crew greater flexibility and predictability.
The union rejected the proposal, and WestJet said Sunday morning that it remains focused on reaching a negotiated settlement.
The airline and union had issued respective 72-hour strike and lockout notices on Thursday, July 30, allowing a work stoppage to begin over the August long weekend if an agreement could not be reached.
WestJet had already begun gradually reducing its network and cancelling flights ahead of the strike to avoid leaving passengers, employees, and aircraft stranded throughout its system.
Passengers booked to travel between July 30 and August 5, 2026 are being allowed to make a one-time change or cancellation without paying an additional fee.
There is currently no confirmed timeline for the full restoration of WestJet’s mainline service.
- You might also like:
- WestJet takes a 'difficult' crucial step as it faces strike
- WestJet cancels five Vancouver flight routes to the U.S. this winter
- Nearly 2.8 million passengers recorded at Vancouver International Airport during FIFA World Cup
- Inside the global competition to bring new airlines and routes to Vancouver International Airport