WestJet cutting flights to Atlantic Canada, laying off staff
Posted October 14, 2020 7:25 am.
Last Updated October 14, 2020 11:26 am.
CALGARY – WestJet announced it is indefinitely suspending operations to Moncton, N.B, Fredericton, Sydney, N.S., and Charlottetown, while significantly reducing service to Halifax and St. John’s, N.L.
The airline is also suspending operations between Toronto and Quebec City.
WestJet said the suspension eliminates more than 100 flights weekly starting Nov. 2.
NEW – WestJet says it won’t fly to Moncton, Fredericton, Sydney, Charlottetown and Quebec City as of Nov 2 and will significantly reduce flights to Halifax and St. John’s because of weak demand due to COVID. The airline has 70% of its planes grounded pic.twitter.com/G49Ahfnmtb
— Richard Southern (@RichardCityNews) October 14, 2020
The airline said it has worked to keep essential air service going since the start of the pandemic, but demand for travel is being severely limited by restrictive policies.
WestJet also said it is laying off 100 corporate and operational support employees.
The cuts do not include airport staff from the affected Atlantic airports due to earlier restructuring.
