WestJet and its airplane mechanics have agreed to resume negotiations, removing a strike threat that had been set to begin Thursday evening – a possibility that had resulted in the carrier cancelling nearly 50 flights in the days preceding in preparation.

The Canada Industrial Relations Board said it needed more time and submissions from each party before deciding whether to create a collective agreement via binding arbitration, as proposed by WestJet earlier this week.

That request to the labour tribunal prompted a 72-hour strike notice from the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association on Monday evening.

In statements, both sides said they would return to the bargaining table to try to sort out their differences around a contract for the 670-plus mechanics – their first with the Calgary-based airline.

Union members voted overwhelmingly to reject a tentative deal last week and voiced opposition to WestJet’s request for arbitration.

In anticipation of a potential strike, WestJet began cancelling flights as it began to concentrate and park its 180-plane fleet, according to figures from tracking service FlightAware.

By Thursday morning, the union had rescinded its strike notice and said it would not trigger job action that had originally set for Thursday evening “while, in its determination, bargaining remains productive.”

WestJet said it hopes to hammer out a resolution without further service disruption and aims to resume normal operations as quickly as possible.

“We recognize the impact the initial cancellations had on our guests and our people, and we sincerely appreciate their patience and understanding during this time,” WestJet Airlines president Diederik Pen said.

WestJet passengers are encouraged to continue checking the status of their flights before departing for the airport.