The hours are winding down as a strike or lockout looms at the country’s second-largest air carrier but even before Zero Hour, WestJet will begin scaling back flights in preparation.

With WestJet being a crucial carrier for travellers coming and going from Newfoundland and Labrador, a strike could mean significant disruptions and stranded passengers.

In the wake of all this, the airline is allowing people who are booked on a flight from now until next Tuesday, August 4, to change or cancel penalty-free.

Julia Kent, a director with CAA Atlantic, encourages flyers to take advantage of the company’s offer to do just that. However, things become a bit more tangly if a person’s destination is for a wedding or other type of time-specific event.

She says in those situations, it might be in a person’s best interest to book on another carrier or to find other options.

“Have your travel advisor look into the free cancellation or change right away. If your plans are more flexible, you can stay with WestJet and roll the dice that the strike will not happen.”