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)
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Amid the ongoing Middle East conflict, global flight operations continue to face disruptions, with limited services and rising airfares affecting travellers across several regions.
Air India on Tuesday announced a phased increase in fuel surcharges across its domestic and international network, citing a sharp rise in aviation fuel prices triggered by the ongoing conflict between Iran and the United States in the Middle East.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation on Monday said Indian carriers are planning to operate around 50 flights between India and the Middle East region amid ongoing tensions in the Gulf that have significantly disrupted flight movements.