WestJet may soon start hiring temporary foreign pilots for its Encore regional affiliate. The low-cost carrier continues to face a shortage of pilots, particularly in the left seat.
Under Canada’s temporary foreign workers (TFW) program, employers must show that no local workers are available for employment. The Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) – which represents pilots at WestJet and Encore – told CBC News that the company has already received government approval to hire foreign workers.
This process, a WestJet spokesperson said, is one of “multiple avenues” the airline is considering to deal with a shortage of Encore captains. However, the spokesperson stopped short of confirming whether its TFW application was approved.
“This application should never have been made,” said Capt. Tim Perry, president of the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) Canada, in a statement to CBC. He added that the union has no issues with hiring permanent immigrants.
Encore is a wholly-owned subsidiary of WestJet, operating regional flights on behalf of the carrier. It operates a fleet of 41 Q400 aircraft, 12 of which are currently parked.
In June 2024, WestJet and Encore’s pilots ratified a new five-year contract. Specifics of the deal were not disclosed by ALPA, but the union said pay raises “set a new standard for regional pilots.”
