1,700 WestJet pilots have been laid off as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the company told the Star Wednesday night. Almost three quarters of the airline’s fleet has been reduced as a result of such measures, they said. Airlines such as Porter Airlines and Air Transat announced they were suspending flights on March 18. Air Transat said it would be starting a "gradual suspension" of flights until April 30, halting sales for departures before the same date. At the end of March, Air Canada temporarily laid off 16,500 employees as the airline struggled with fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic, though the airline later announced they'd be rehired on April 8.

Source: thestar April 16, 2020 03:55 UTC