NITN | @notintownlive | 25 Mar 2020, 10:11 am
Moscow/Sputnik/UNI: WestJet, Canada’s second-largest air carrier, has said that nearly 7,000 of its employees will have to leave the company due to the impact that the coronavirus pandemic has had on the airline industry.
"Today, 6,900 WestJetters are receiving notices of both voluntary and involuntary leaves due to the impact of COVID-19. This is devastating news. We commend those who are standing down so that our airline can stand up," the company wrote on Twitter late on Tuesday.
It comes after Air Canada, the country’s largest airline, said last week that it was laying off 5,000 employees due to a cut in flights. It noted that the layoffs would be temporary, with employees being moved to "off duty" status in the company.
As the coronavirus spreads across borders, governments introduce entry bans and travel restrictions in a bid to contain the outbreak. According to the most recent statistics compiled by Johns Hopkins University, over 428,000 COVID-19 cases and more than 19,000 fatalities have been confirmed globally to date.
(Image: Pixabay)
- Lufthansa adds new flights to Santa’s Hometown Rovaniemi, Finland
- More Free Seats on Flights in India? What Passengers Need to Know
- Flight to nowhere: Air India Vancouver-bound plane returns to Delhi mid-air after clearance mix-up
- Singapore Changi Airport crowned world’s best again in 2026
- Air India serves festive Indian meals onboard amid Eid festivity. Check out the special menu
- Flight chaos ahead: 4 key Indian airports set for temporary shutdown, travel plans to hit
- Flying to Miami for The Tennis Season? American Airlines Upgrades Lounge Experience
- IndiGo's Fare Hike Kicks In Tomorrow: What You Need To Know
- Middle East war pushes airfares sky-high: Abu Dhabi–Delhi tickets touch ₹70,000
- Flying just got costlier: Air India hikes fuel surcharge amid Iran-US war
Lufthansa is expanding its winter flight schedule for 2026/27 with the launch of a new direct route by between its Munich hub and Rovaniemi, starting December 4, 2026.
Choosing a seat on a flight in India often comes at an extra cost, especially for window, aisle, or front-row options. Over time, what was once a basic part of flying has turned into a revenue stream for airlines, leaving many passengers with limited free choices during web check-in.
Passengers on board an Air India flight to Vancouver experienced a near eight-hour “flight to nowhere” after the aircraft was forced to return to Delhi due to a regulatory oversight.
