WestJet Fined $70,000 Over ‘Inadequate’ Support During Overnight Calgary-Nanaimo Flight Chaos

Canadian Transportation Agency Issues Major Fine

The Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA) has imposed a $70,000 fine on WestJet following a series of service failures during a late-night flight cancellation in early 2025. The penalty stems from WestJet Encore flight WS3103, which was scheduled to depart Calgary for Nanaimo at approximately 11:30 p.m. on February 16, 2025. According to the federal regulator, the airline failed to meet its legal obligations to passengers after the flight was delayed and ultimately scrapped.

Violations of Air Passenger Protection Regulations

The CTA’s investigation uncovered dozens of specific violations of the Air Passenger Protection Regulations (APPR). Specifically, the agency cited 16 violations related to the failure to provide essential amenities such as food and drink. Regulators noted that WestJet did not account for the length of the wait, the location of the stranded passengers, or the late hour, leaving many without access to reasonable refreshments. Furthermore, 19 additional violations were issued because the airline failed to offer comparable hotel accommodations or transportation, effectively forcing passengers to arrange their own lodging in the middle of the night.

Implications for Air Travelers

This enforcement action highlights the growing scrutiny on Canadian carriers regarding passenger rights. Under the APPR, airlines are legally required to provide specific standards of care, including communication, food, and overnight accommodation, when a flight is delayed or cancelled for reasons within the carrier’s control. The $70,000 fine serves as a significant reminder that federal authorities are increasingly willing to penalize non-compliance to ensure travelers are not left stranded without support.

Next Steps for WestJet

WestJet now faces a deadline of April 7 to either pay the fine or file a formal appeal. Should the airline choose to contest the Agency’s findings, the case will be moved to the Transportation Appeal Tribunal of Canada for a secondary review. As of now, the company has not publicly confirmed whether it will dispute the ruling or accept the penalties for the February 2025 incident.