A strike by cabin crew at Canadian airline WestJet is disrupting air travel between Canada and Jamaica, with several flights to and from the island cancelled.
The airline temporarily suspended all WestJet flights from 12:01 a.m. Mountain Time on August 2 because of a labour dispute involving flight attendants represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE).
At Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay, six WestJet flights were cancelled on Sunday, with additional cancellations expected through Thursday.
The disruption is expected to affect Jamaica's tourism sector, as WestJet operates several daily services between Canada and the island during the busy summer travel season.
WestJet says passengers scheduled to travel on or before August 6, who have not yet had their flights cancelled, may make a one-time flight change or cancel their booking without paying additional fees.
The dispute centres on pay, particularly compensation for time spent working before aircraft depart, known in the airline industry as "ground pay."
The Calgary-based carrier says it remains at the bargaining table and is committed to reaching a negotiated agreement with its cabin crew.
According to the airline, about 600 flights had been cancelled by early Sunday.
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