Fellow pilots,

Thank you to everyone who attended our farewell Unifor roadshows. The overwhelming attendance shows the strong support and dedication within our group.

We had some great questions and conversations about the WestJet integration and will continue to work with you as we navigate the transition together.

As a reminder, please continue to ask questions using the new MEC email swgmecofficers@alpa.org.

YQB Base Update

As you are aware, the Québec City base is scheduled to close this spring. At that time, the YQB pilots will transfer to the YUL base.

We understand the anxieties and frustrations you may be feeling, but we want you to know that we will continue to fight for you to try and keep this important base open. In WestJet’s view, the Québec market can be adequately served through parings and from the upcoming YUL base. We strongly disagree with this mindset and believe the better choice for WestJet and the people of Québec is to keep the YQB base open.

Recently, the MEC sent a letter to WestJet’s leadership articulating the importance of keeping the YQB base open. The letter is attached to this email. We know Québec is a very unique market, and the fact that other airlines are making inroads in that market, while WestJet is withdrawing from the east, clearly shows a misunderstanding of that market.

After sending the letter, we received a response from Diederik Pen, WestJet Airlines President and WestJet Group COO.

Mr. Pen stated that WestJet understands the importance of the Québec market, especially the demographic and the cultural differences between Québec City and Montreal. However, he added that while Québec City does have a strong winter travel season, there is not enough demand in spring, summer, and fall, to justify a permanent year-round base. In our view, this management clearly does not understand the Québec market.

Mr. Pen highlighted there is an opportunity for Québec City to become a seasonal base. This opportunity will be reviewed for feasibility for the winter 2025-26 flying schedule by WestJet management in the spring. We have no way of truly knowing WestJet’s actual interest in seasonal bases.

Since sending us his letter explaining why a YQB base is not feasible, Mr. Pen has announced that Encore will continue to maintain a YYZ base for 2025, despite there being no Q400 flying in the region. Interpret that as you will, but we are certainly disappointed with this apparent double standard.

We have requested a meeting with WestJet leadership on this issue. We will provide further updates as they become available. Rest assured we will do everything we can to let the people of Québec know what is happening and let WestJet management know what a mistake this is.

In the meantime, we thank you for your professionalism and dedication in supporting our Sunwing winter season, even while WestJet works to close your base.