June 18, 2024
In a submission to a federal agency, dated June 17, 2024, WestJet asserted that a deterioration of its aircraft maintenance operations posed “irreparable harm” and sought the agency’s “immediate intervention.”
As evidence, WestJet cites the airline’s own statistics which show that Aircraft on the Ground (AOG) in May 2024 increased 96 percent over May 2023 to 277 aircraft.
A more troubling statistic cited by WestJet, relative to the decline in the airline’s maintenance standards, is the dramatic growth of aircraft operating with Minimum Equipment Lists (MELs) identifying inoperable equipment on planes operating in revenue service. In May 2023, WestJet’s fleet operated with 101 MELs. One year later, in May 2024, that number had increased 115% to 218. By May 27, 2024, that number had increased to 257.
The safety of aircraft operations depends on redundant systems providing the necessary backups to prevent aviation disasters. The current state of WestJet flight operations reflects a peeling back of important layers of protection. While the affected aircraft may be “airworthy” in a legal sense, they are flying air passengers at a lower level of safety and the trend is disturbing.
WestJet conceded during negotiations that its aircraft maintenance operations are understaffed. The airline confessed that it is unable to fill open positions at the sub-market wages it is currently paying to its Aircraft Maintenance Engineers (AMEs). Despite these staffing challenges, WestJet is fixed on increasing capacity through aggressive growth and fleet expansion, including its immediate intent to acquire portions of now-defunct Lynx Air’s grounded fleet. Yesterday, it canceled negotiations previously scheduled for June 19-20 and asked the Canadian government to impose on its AMEs a contract that they rejected by 97.5%.
If WestJet were to realize its misguided goals, it would have very few AMEs left and the pressure to increase the volume of aircraft operating in revenue with inoperable equipment would be immense.
There is comedic reference to a slogan from wrong-headed management: “the beating will continue until morale improves.” In any context, it is bad policy. In the safety-sensitive airline industry, it is unconscionable.
Fraternally,
AMFA-WestJet Negotiating Committee
