Passengers dealing with cancelled flights as WestJet strike looms

WestJet and the union representing more than 4,000 flight attendants are continuing negotiations.

It comes ahead of a possible work stoppage that could begin just after midnight — Calgary time — on Sunday, Aug. 2.

WestJet has already started cancelling flights ahead of the deadline, leaving some passengers scrambling to change their travel plans during the August long weekend.

“My husband just called. He received a message – he said the flight from Calgary to Las Vegas is cancelled, because we have one stop in Calgary,” said a passenger waiting to board a flight to Calgary.

They haven’t even left Pearson, and already, their trip to Las Vegas has hit a roadblock.

The family is heading there for the daughter’s gymnastics event.

“I don’t know what we are going to do,” said the passenger, hugging her daughter to console her.

And they’re far from alone.

A passenger travelling with a group to Cancun says they learned by email around 1 a.m. their flight was also cancelled.

“We’re just hoping to get on a different flight, maybe with a different company,” the passenger said.

WATCH MORE: What to know about the potential WestJet strike, how it may affect you

Two students trying to get home to Jamaica say their cancellation notice arrived while they were asleep.

“I didn’t know there was gonna be a labour disruption weeks ago when I booked this. So we basically expended everything we have trying to get here on time today,” said Benjamin Stanley, who is flying to Montego Bay, Jamaica.

WestJet rebooked them, but with their apartment leases already ended, Zahila Gray says a $250 voucher from WestJet isn’t enough to cover a nearby hotel.

“I didn’t account for this in my budget, so this is gonna hurt my pockets quite a bit,” Gray said.

Due to the labour uncertainty, WestJet said on Friday it was parking some of its Boeing 737 aircraft.

The August long weekend is one of the busiest travel times of the summer. And with thousands of people heading out on vacation, even the possibility of more flight disruptions has some passengers making backup plans.

Last-minute changes to travel plans can have an impact well beyond the airport.

The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) says small businesses can feel the ripple effect.

“If passengers are not reaching their destination, it can have a huge impact on many businesses relying on the tourism industry for their revenues — think businesses like restaurants, small hotels, even remote gift shops,” said Jasmin Guénette, vice-president of national affairs for the CFIB.

And with plans already being disrupted, some passengers are trying to stay one step ahead.

“We were originally gonna travel tomorrow but we’ve changed our flights to go today so that we can avoid any possible delays due to the labour issues at WestJet,” said another passenger.

WestJet is giving travellers some flexibility, allowing passengers flying between July 30 and Aug. 4 to make a one-time change or cancellation at no additional cost.

For those sticking with their original plans, it’s a waiting game.

WATCH MORE: WestJet flight attendants issue 72-hour strike notice