A recent WestJet strike left several New Brunswickers stranded across Europe. While the airline and the Canadian Union of Public Employees reached a tentative deal on Monday, the fallout continues to disrupt travel plans. If you have a flight booked, you need to check your itinerary before heading to the airport, as CBC News reports.

Anniversary Trip Cut Short

Marsha Manuel from Miramichi planned to fly home from a European anniversary trip on Tuesday. Instead, she sits in a Lisbon hotel with a cancelled flight. She extended her hotel stay for two nights because she has no idea when she will return home.

“I called Air Canada to book a flight to come back on Thursday but it’s going to be over $6,000 so I’m reluctant to do that,” Manuel said. “I feel WestJet got me here, they need to get me back.”

Scout Troupes Stranded in Denmark

A group of young scouts from the Quispamsis and Rothesay areas face similar struggles in Copenhagen. Ryan O’Keefe leads a Scouts Canada group of 13 kids. They travelled to Denmark for an international camping event. Now, they wait for answers.

“I look up the app to see my ticket, and there’s no ticket there. There’s no itinerary,” O’Keefe said. WestJet agreed to cover the group hotel costs, which total nearly $3,000 a day.

Kevin Gleeton leads another group of 19 scouts from Rothesay. He navigates the complex task of rebooking flights for unaccompanied minors.

“Scouts Canada is supposed to have two adults with each youth and especially the youth that don’t have parents with them, of which we have six,” Gleeton said.

Flight Recovery and Local Airports

WestJet entered a recovery phase following the labour disruption. The airline states a full return to normal operations will take time. If you plan to travel soon, check your flight status online.

Locally, the Greater Moncton Romeo LeBlanc International Airport and the Fredericton International Airport experienced minor cancellations over the weekend but report on time flights as of Tuesday. The Saint John airport does not offer WestJet flights.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the WestJet strike over?

Yes, WestJet and the Canadian Union of Public Employees reached a tentative deal to end the strike.

Will WestJet refund my hotel costs if my flight is cancelled?

WestJet covers hotel costs in some situations, as seen with the stranded scout group. You must contact WestJet directly to request compensation for your specific expenses.

Are flights out of Saint John affected?

No, the Saint John airport does not offer WestJet flights.