Air Canada suspending more routes, laying off additional 1,500 employees

By Michael Ranger

Air Canada is laying off another round of employees and suspending additional flights as the pandemic continues to take a toll on the travel industry.

680 NEWS has learned the airline will be letting go of another 1,500 employees and plans to suspend at least 17 additional international routes, 12 of which depart from Toronto Pearson Airport.

“We are further reducing our transborder and international commercial schedule as a result of COVID-19,” reads a statement from the airline. “Regrettably, due to the schedule changes, the airline will also temporarily reduce its unionized workforce.”


RELATED: Air Canada Rouge suspending all flights February 8, approximately 80 employees will face layoffs


The following routes will be suspended until at least April 30:

U.S. ROUTES

  • Toronto to Fort Myers – as of Feb. 14
  • Toronto to Boston – as of Feb. 16
  • Toronto to Washington-Reagan – as of Feb. 17
  • Toronto to LaGuardia – as of Feb. 17
  • Montreal to Boston – as of Feb. 17
  • Montreal to LaGuardia – as of Feb. 17
  • Vancouver to Seattle – as of Feb. 16

 

OTHER INTERNATIONAL ROUTES

  • Toronto to Bogota – as of Feb. 16
  • Toronto to Dublin – as of Feb. 12
  • Toronto to Dubai – start-up postponed
  • Toronto to Sao Paulo – as of Feb. 16
  • Toronto to Hong Kong – start-up postponed
  • Toronto to Tel Aviv – continued suspension
  • Montreal to Bogota – Feb. 13
  • Vancouver to London – as of Feb. 14
  • Vancouver to Narita – as of Feb. 14

 

The company says affected customers with bookings will be contacted with options, including alternate routings.

The cuts come as Canada rolls out stricter measures to reduce international travel, including mandatory hotel quarantines for new entrants.

At the end of January, Canadian airlines agreed to suspend all flights to Mexico and the Caribbean until April 30, at the request of the federal government.

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