WestJet Set to Layoff 415 Pilots as Airline Bailout Talks Drag On
February 27, 2021 ctn_admin
WestJet Airlines Ltd. is set to issue layoff notices to 415 pilots, underlining the dim outlook for air travel heading into the summer, Canadian Press reports.
Calgary-based WestJet will issue the notices as it negotiates with the union that represents its pilots, the Airline Pilots Association, to renew a six-month memorandum of agreement (MOA) that expires on March 31.
Airline spokeswoman Morgan Bell says the layoff notices are going out ahead of the expiration of a memorandum of agreement on March 31.
CTV News reports that WestJet on Feb. 5 announced that it would lay off 120 cabin crew members as of March 2, blaming the measure on the lack of flights to sun destinations.
WestJet, Air Canada, Sunwing and Transat earlier this year agreed to suspend all flights to the Caribbean and Mexico until April 30 as a way to help limit the spread of COVID-19.
Canada’s airlines have been negotiating a sector-specific aid package with the Trudeau government since early November. There were reports a week or so ago that a deal was imminent, but there’s been no announcement.
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