WestJet says it is consolidating its call centre activity in Alberta. It is also contracting out airport operations in all domestic airports outside of Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, and Toronto and is strategically restructuring its office and management staff. The company says the aim is to streamline for a competitive future following the COVID-19 crisis. President and CEO Ed Sims says, “These strategic but unavoidable changes will allow us to provide security to our remaining 10,000 WestJetters and to carry on the work of transforming our business.” Overall, 3,333 employees across the country will be affected.

WestJet says the COVID crisis hit the global aviation industry with devastating force. Since the beginning of March, guest traffic has stopped in response to virus fears and travel advisories that halted almost all but essential travel. The company has been able to continue to operate service to all 38 year-round domestic airports during the pandemic to ensure essential lifelines for travel and cargo remained open. But overall, the airline’s scheduled operations have been reduced by more than 90 per cent, year over year.