Canadian airlines rehire thousands of workers after securing wage subsidies
Furloughed airline workers are coming back in droves to Canadian airlines after being approved for the federal government’s wage subsidy program.
WestJet said it will rehire more than 6,000 workers again who were temporarily laid off recently.
It is the third airline this week to commit to rehiring laid off staff.
Flair Airlines said it would rehire 130 employees, and Air Canada is bringing back thousands.
The Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy program supports 75% of wages and WestJet will pay the remainder.
"This does not automatically mean that they will be coming back to work, as there may not be work there for them," WestJet’s CEO Ed Sims said.
"But it does help make ends meet."
WestJet suspended all international flights last month and significantly cut domestic capacity.
Sims said the airline will continue flying to the 38 Canadian destinations in its current schedule although it may still cut frequencies.
The wage subsidy is valid for businesses that can prove they have suffered at least a 30% drop in revenue.
It runs until June 6.
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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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