WestJet Group said it has "started taking down its network" ahead of looming strikes by WestJet and Swoop pilots.
"This action ensures the airline can avoid abandoning aircraft in remote locations without support and enables the proactive communication with guests and crew to minimise the potential for being stranded", the carrier said, describing a "stalemate" with the pilots and the Air Line Pilots Int'l (ALPA) union over "unreasonable wage expectations".
"We are extremely disheartened to find ourselves in a place where we have to activate our contingency plan and subsequent takedown of our network as a result of the strike notice served by ALPA and their inability to accept a reasonable offer. 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 Alexis von Hoensbroech, chief executive of WestJet.
"We remain at the bargaining table, unequivocally committed to achieving a deal as soon as possible, but are equally ready to weather labour action for as long as it takes to arrive at a reasonable outcome," continued von Hoensbroech, who apologised to passengers.