Widespread WestJet outage adds to chaos at Pearson Airport in Mississauga
Published July 14, 2022 at 11:48 am
Story has been updated. See details at bottom of story
Hundreds of travellers at Pearson Airport in Mississauga are experiencing even longer delays than usual and additional issues today (July 14) after one of Canada’s major carriers had its IT system go down.
Calgary-based WestJet Airlines reported this morning that a nationwide system outage has affected its check-in and processing functions at Pearson and other airports across Canada.
In a tweet this morning, WestJet said that an “infrastructure outage is currently impacting WestJet’s airport check-in, flight planning and payment services on westjet.com and continues to intermittently impact operations.”
Officials go on to say that they are working to restore service and in the meantime they recommend passengers arrive early and check their flight status ahead of time.
An intermittent IT outage is impacting @WestJet’s airport check-in, flight planning and website and operations.
We will continue to provide updates and appreciate our guests patience and understanding. Guests impacted will be reaccommodated.
More: https://t.co/bQJXL83b2e pic.twitter.com/iqYScLeTDw
— WestJet News (@WestJetNews) July 14, 2022
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Today’s issue is just the latest in a series of events and challenges faced by Pearson and other airports across Canada and North America as they deal with ongoing problems getting people through air travel hubs in timely fashion.
Staff shortages combined with unexpectedly large numbers of people returning to air travel after COVID-19 restrictions were lifted earlier this year have overwhelmed airports.
A couple of weeks ago, both Air Canada and Pearson Airport ranked close to or at the top of lists of most flight delays anywhere in the world. Air Canada was first among carriers while Pearson was second on the airports list.
Around the same time, in response to various issues the aviation industry is facing as travellers return to airports in huge, unexpected numbers, Air Canada announced it will cut dozens of daily flights this summer from Pearson Airport and other airports across the country.
Update: Early this afternoon, WestJet announced via Twitter that “check-in services nationwide have been restored.”
IT Outage Update:@WestJet check-in services nationwide have been restored.
Self-serve baggage drop continues to experience issues in Calgary, Ottawa, Saskatoon & Halifax.
Guests are encouraged to arrive early and check flight status before heading to the airport.
— WestJet News (@WestJetNews) July 14, 2022
insauga's Editorial Standards and Policies advertisingSpending our vacation at the airport! #hurryupandwait #pearsonairport
Starting off with a 45 minute delay, glass of wine before security!— Bill Cutt (@BillCutt) July 14, 2022