WestJet Resumes Flights After Brief System Outage, Delays Expected

(CANADA) WestJet resumed flights Tuesday after a brief, airline‑initiated ground stop following a temporary system outage, with the carrier warning that delays will likely continue through the day on Aug. 12, 2025.

The pause, which affected flights under the WestJet brand and WestJet Encore, was posted to the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration’s website and lifted the same morning once the issue was fixed, according to CityNews Edmonton and airline statements. WestJet said the outage delayed the handover of aircraft from maintenance to scheduled operations; the problem was identified and resolved, and recovery is underway. The airline apologized to guests and asked travelers to confirm flight status before heading to the airport.

Morning impacts and airport reports

Airports across Canada reported morning delays tied to the WestJet issue.

• Ottawa (YOW), Toronto Pearson (YYZ), Saskatoon (YXE), and Montréal–Trudeau (YUL) flagged WestJet‑related impacts early in the day.
• Later in the morning, Toronto and Montreal said the problem was resolved but still urged travelers to check their departures.
• Coverage in Vancouver noted that while the outage was fixed, residual delays could linger at Vancouver International Airport (YVR) as the network resets.

The outage was resolved and flights were operating, but WestJet needed time to realign aircraft and crew rotations after the morning interruption.

What happened: ground stop and cause

A ground stop is an air traffic control step that temporarily holds departures to one or more airports for safety, weather, or operational reasons. In this case, WestJet requested a brief, systemwide hold while it addressed the temporary system outage and stabilized operations.

The company’s spokesperson described the root of the problem as a handover delay from maintenance personnel to scheduled operations. Once systems were stable, WestJet asked for the ground stop to be lifted, which occurred later in the morning, and the airline shifted to recovery mode.

For context on how ground stops are applied in the National Airspace System, travelers can review FAA air traffic resources at https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic.

Official advisory details

WestJet’s formal advisory, posted Tuesday, lists the event as a “temporary system outage causing delays” for travel on Aug. 12 only and applies to all airports in the network.

Key points from the advisory:

• Guests should keep checking Flight Status on the WestJet website or app and allow extra time.
• Auto‑enrollment: customers receive disruption notifications by email or text at check‑in.
• No separate fee waiver was announced; rebooking and refunds follow standard tariff and contract‑of‑carriage rules unless an additional waiver is posted.
• Self‑serve: WestJet encourages use of Manage Trips for rebooking options if a flight is delayed or changed.

Scope of the interruption and current status

• Affected travelers: Guests booked on WestJet and WestJet Encore on Aug. 12, 2025.
• Geographic reach: All airports per the WestJet advisory; notable morning impacts at YOW, YYZ, YXE, YUL.
• Control measure: A brief, airline‑initiated ground stop posted to the FAA site and lifted the same morning.
• Recovery: Normal operations are resuming, but WestJet warns of rolling delays throughout the day as aircraft and crews return to their planned positions.

Vancouver ATC staffing window — related impact

According to the airline’s advisory, YVR travelers could face added wait times because a separate, previously announced air traffic control staffing program remains in effect at Vancouver from May 31 to Sept. 15, 2025. That program is unrelated to WestJet’s systems but can affect flow rates at the airport.

• When combined with the morning irregular operations, the ATC staffing program may increase the chance of later‑day congestion at YVR.

Practical steps for travelers on Aug. 12

To reduce stress and avoid missed connections, WestJet advises these actions:

1. Verify your flight:
   • Check the Flight Status tool on WestJet’s website or app several times on Aug. 12, especially within 3–4 hours of departure.
2. Enable alerts:
   • Ensure your booking has a valid email and mobile number. You’re auto‑enrolled for disruption alerts at check‑in.
3. Build buffer time:
   • Arrive earlier than usual at major hubs (YYZ, YVR, YUL, YYC) and allow extra time for connections.
4. At the airport:
   • Monitor gate screens and the app for aircraft or gate changes.
5. If your flight is delayed or changed:
   • Use Manage Trips on the WestJet site or app to view rebooking options.
   • Speak with an agent if self‑serve choices don’t meet your needs.
6. If your trip touches YVR:
   • Expect potential added delays due to the ongoing ATC staffing program through Sept. 15, 2025; closely monitor gate and estimated departure time updates.

Connections, special‑needs travelers, and ground transport

• Expect compressed connection windows if an inbound aircraft is late; consider moving to a later connection via self‑serve tools.
• Families, seniors, and travelers needing extra time should plan for longer lines at bag drop and security during peak afternoon and evening banks.
• If you’re meeting ground transport at your destination, share live arrival updates with your driver or pickup contact in case your arrival time shifts.

Recovery expectations and final advice

WestJet expects operations to stabilize as the day progresses. However, the airline notes that guests on evening Aug. 12 and early Aug. 13 departures should still confirm status, since aircraft and crew rotations can take time to normalize.

Industry analysis (e.g., VisaVerge.com) indicates rolling delays during recovery are common across airline networks after a morning interruption, which aligns with WestJet’s caution that delays could persist into later flights.

Rely on official channels for the most current information: WestJet’s Travel Advisories page for Aug. 12, 2025, and airport social channels/websites for Toronto Pearson, Montréal–Trudeau, and Vancouver.

Passengers can find real‑time flight information and self‑serve options through WestJet’s digital channels. Keep your phone charged, watch the app for push alerts, and build extra time into your travel day while the airline completes its recovery.