Canadians – and Canadian travel agents – can rest easier now that WestJet has averted what could’ve been a crippling pilots’ strike.

The airline and the Air Line Pilots Association late Friday announced they’ve agreed to let a federal mediator try to find a middle ground. If that doesn’t work, they’ll submit to final, binding arbitration and let a third party decide what’s best.

“We are pleased with the removal of the threat of strike action, we are grateful for the role played by the government, both with their mediation services and with the offer of support with arbitration,” said WestJet President and CEO Ed Sims. “The message I can give all Canadians is that they can continue to book in 100 per cent confidence that no strike action will threaten their travel plans.”

In remarks made at Calgary International Airport Friday night, WestJet President and CEO said Sims said the company hopes to reach a deal with the union no later than the end of June.

In a story posted on the weekend by Canadian Press, Sims said the uncertainty about a possible strike has cost the company “tens of millions of dollars.”

With Air Canada standing by in case of a strike, and with WestJet’s ultra-low-fare airline Swoop due to start flying in the next few weeks, WestJet likely felt a strike was something they simply couldn’t afford.

WestJet has said its bargaining team was focused on getting a sustainable agreement that benefits pilots, WestJet customers and the company as a whole.

The airline had promised to refund tickets if flights were cancelled in the event of a strike.

WestJet has said that its bookings have slowed since the union said it would seek a strike mandate, which was supported by 91 per cent of its members, CP reported.

WestJet’s planned launch of its Swoop ultra-low cost carrier has been a source of contention between pilots and the company.

In a story posted by The Globe and Mail on Sunday, a negotiator for the airline pilots said Swoop pilots will be members of the union, a key factor for the ALPA.

In addition to launching Swoop as a Ryanair-style airline that will fly out of airports such as Hamilton and Abbotsford, WestJet is starting a new business-class next year and is talking about flying new planes to Eastern Europe and Asia, a change that would put them in direct competition with Air Canada.

On a related note, a recent study by Kayak.com found that airline prices in Canada this summer are about seven per cent lower than last year. The study found prices out of Edmonton are a whopping 40 per cent cheaper this year, while flights out of Abbotsford were down 33 per cent. Winnipeg flight costs were down 30 per cent, but Calgary prices had dropped a more modest 11 per cent.