Monday, September 8, 2025

WestJet Justifies Price Surge as ‘Real-Time Demand’ During Air Canada Crisis

Flight prices across Canada have surged to extreme levels as Air Canada’s three-day strike forced travelers to competing airlines, charging hundreds or thousands more than usual rates.

More than 10,000 Air Canada flight attendants remained on strike Monday despite government orders to return to work, grounding Canada’s largest airline and disrupting travel for about 130,000 passengers each day at the height of vacation season.

The capacity shortage led to a 300-400% increase in domestic flight prices on some routes. Travelers posted screenshots showing Toronto-to-Victoria flights priced at $1,359, compared to typical rates of around $300-$400. International routes like Edinburgh-to-Toronto showed prices above $2,500, up from usual summer rates of $500-700.

Some Google Flights searches displayed even more extreme prices, including a Toronto-to-Halifax route showing $19,176, though this appeared to be a technical error.

Canada’s labor relations board ruled the strike illegal Monday, demanding workers return by noon. Union leaders refused, saying they would accept fines or jail time rather than comply.

“If Air Canada thinks planes will be flying this afternoon, they’re sorely mistaken,” Canadian Union of Public Employees president Mark Hancock said Monday.

The airline grounded 738 flights on Sunday, followed by roughly 400 additional cancellations on Monday. The airline suspended its 2025 profit forecast and advised passengers not to go to airports unless they have tickets on other carriers.

Related: Air Canada Strike: Ottawa Pulls Section 107 For Return-To-Work, But Union Defies Order

Flight attendants voted 99.7% in favor of striking after contract talks failed. They argue Air Canada’s proposed wage increases don’t match inflation, effectively cutting their pay.

WestJet, benefiting from diverted passengers, defended its pricing on social media: “Pricing reflects real-time demand. We know this is a tough time for many travellers.”

People on social media called the pricing a clear case of crisis exploitation. Consumer groups urged government intervention to prevent airlines from capitalizing on the capacity shortage.

The airline’s stock price dropped nearly 3% Monday as Air Canada withdrew its 2025 financial projections. The strike comes during the final weeks of summer vacation season when travel demand peaks.

The work stoppage, which has now ended thanks to terms being met overnight, was one of the largest airline disruptions in Canadian history. Previous Air Canada strikes typically lasted days before government intervention forced resolution.

Federal Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu initiated binding arbitration over the weekend, but union leaders rejected the process as unconstitutional and designed to protect airline profits over worker rights.



Information for this story was found via the sources and companies mentioned. The author has no securities or affiliations related to the organizations discussed. Not a recommendation to buy or sell. Always do additional research and consult a professional before purchasing a security. The author holds no licenses.

One Response

  1. I am so disgusted over the price gouging that Westjet has been implementing during the strike. Westjet may make a bit of money now, but the cost of being greedy and uncaring in the long term will damage their reputation. I’m sick of greedy companies that think it’sokay to hit people when they are down and without any options! Shame on you Westjet!

Leave a Reply

Video Articles

Avino Q2 Earnings: Steady As She Goes

MEG Energy: Cenovus Comes In With $7.9 BILLION Offer

Orla Mining Q2 Earnings: Musselwhite Changes Everything

Recommended

Goliath Resources Hits 18.58 g/t Gold Over 5.00 Metres At Surebet

ESGold Outlines $24.3 Million NPV For Tailings Reprocessing Project

Related News

CN and CPKC Face Potential Strikes as Union Members Reauthorize Action

Union members at Canadian National Railway (TSX: CN) and Canadian Pacific Kansas City (TSX: CP)...

Monday, July 1, 2024, 11:21:00 AM

Canadian Airlines Suck: Study Reveals That Air Canada and WestJet Rank Lowest In On-Time Performance

A new report from Cirium Aviation Analytics has revealed that Canada’s two largest airlines, Air...

Friday, December 30, 2022, 01:54:00 PM

Longshoremen and Maritime Alliance Strike Six-Year Deal, Averting Port Strike

The International Longshoremen’s Association and the United States Maritime Alliance have reached a tentative agreement...

Friday, January 10, 2025, 02:07:00 PM

WestJet Faces New Strike Threat as Union Rejects Offer Again

In a fresh blow to WestJet Airlines, the union representing its maintenance engineers has once...

Wednesday, June 26, 2024, 10:45:00 AM

UPS: Potential Strike Could Be Largest In Nearly Seven Decades

A strike by 340,000 UPS full- and part-time drivers, loaders, and package handlers against the...

Sunday, July 9, 2023, 01:28:00 PM