EDMONTON—As passengers get antsy about flying WestJet due to a looming pilots strike, other airline companies are jumping into the fray to accommodate travellers.Pilots of the Calgary-based airline could issue a mandatory 72-hour strike notice beginning Saturday. So far, they remain in talks with the company and have assured ownership that they will not strike over the Victoria Day long weekend.In response to the strike vote mandate, Air Canada announced it has added capacity on transcontinental routes by up-gauging aircraft on certain flights across the country, including Calgary and Edmonton.“Travellers who may be concerned about the uncertainty resulting from WestJet’s strike vote mandate can book Air Canada with confidence,” the airline said in a release. “With our flexible and diverse fleet, we will continue adjusting capacity where possible to limit disruptions for people travelling.”As of deadline, both WestJet and the pilot’s association indicated that talks are still ongoing.“The company remains actively engaged in negotiations and is confident that an agreement can be reached,” the WestJet official Twitter account tweeted on Saturday afternoon.Over 90 per cent of WestJet pilots belonging to the Air Line Pilots Association voted on May 10 to authorize a strike. They are negotiating for a contract that they say addresses gaps in compensation, working conditions and job security.On Friday, Flair Airlines — a low-cost airline — tweeted saying it would match the price of people who’ve been “displaced” from their flights.“Nervous about your flight with another airline?” read the tweet. “If you’ve been displaced, we will match the fare you paid, just show us your receipt.”A spokesperson for Flair Airlines could not be reached for comment on how many inquiries they’ve received in the wake of the WestJet pilots strike authorization.Ameya Charn ...
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