Calgary, AB – CUPE 8125, representing WestJet flight attendants, is commending the professionalism and swift action of crew members following a suspected landing gear failure on WestJet flight 2276 at Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM) yesterday.
At 17:29 UTC, the aircraft experienced what is being described as a landing gear failure and emergency protocols were immediately undertaken. Cabin crew oversaw the rapid deployment of slides and safely evacuated every passenger. Emergency services responded quickly, and all guests and crew were transported to the terminal with no reported injuries.
“Yesterday’s events are a powerful reminder of the essential role flight attendants play in keeping passengers safe,” said Alia Hussain, President of CUPE 8125. “When seconds matter, our members are trained to take charge, lead evacuations, and ensure that every passenger is cared for. Safety is not an add-on to our jobs. It is the very core of what we do.”
Hussain emphasized that flight attendants often perform their most critical safety duties outside of paid time. “This includes pre-flight safety checks, boarding procedures, and, when the unexpected happens, life-saving actions like those taken yesterday. This must change. Our critical work deserves recognition and fair compensation.”
CUPE 8125 extends gratitude to the crew of Flight 2276 and to emergency personnel for their skill, professionalism, and commitment to protecting lives, and reaffirms its demand that safety work should never be unpaid or undervalued.