24.33°C Vancouver

Mar 20, 2020 2:05 PM -

Air Canada lays off more than 5,000 flight attendants amid COVID-19 pandemic

Share On
air-canada-lays-off-more-than-5-000-flight-attendants-amid-covid-19-pandemic
An Air Canada jet takes off from Halifax Stanfield International Airport in Enfield, N.S. on Thursday, March 8, 2012. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Andrew Vaughan

A union official says Air Canada is laying off more than 5,000 flight attendants as the country's largest airline cuts routes and parks planes due to COVID-19.

Wesley Lesosky, who heads the Air Canada component of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), says Air Canada is laying off 3,600 mainline flight attendants as well as all of Air Canada Rouge's 1,549 flight attendants.

The layoffs are set to take effect by next month.

Air Canada announced Wednesday it will suspend the majority of its international and American flights by the end of the month.

Its stock has plummeted 76 per cent in two months and will be in focus when trading opens this morning.

Latest news

AlbertaJul 16, 2026

Record rainfall drenches Edmonton as June sets all-time precipitation mark

Environment and Climate Change Canada says Edmonton has experienced an unusually wet start to the summer, with June setting a new monthly rainfall record and above-average precipitation continuing into July. According to Environment and Climate Change Canada, 264 millimetres of rain fell in Edmonton during June, surpassing the previous record of 216 millimetres that was set in 1914. The agency says total rainfall for June and July has now reached approximately 360 millimetres. The wet weather marks a sharp contrast to Alberta's typical summer conditions, which are often dominated by wildfire s
police-renew-appeal-to-locate-missing-north-vancouver-woman-last-seen-july-7
BCJul 16, 2026

Police renew appeal to locate missing North Vancouver woman last seen July 7

North Vancouver RCMP are renewing their appeal for the public's help in locating 46-year-old Mihaela Ududec, who has been missing since July 7. According to a North Vancouver RCMP news release, investigators have confirmed through video evidence that Ududec was last seen at 3:03 p.m. on July 7 in the 100 block of West Keith Road. Police have released a CCTV image showing what she was wearing in the hope that someone may recognize her or provide information about her whereabouts. She was last seen wearing a purple T-shirt, blue jeans, black Nike shoes and a grey hat."Our Investigative Support S
federal-government-unveils-vancouver-port-strategy-focused-on-trade-growth-and-major-infrastructure
BCJul 16, 2026

Federal government unveils Vancouver port strategy focused on trade growth and major infrastructure

Federal Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon on Friday announced the Port of Vancouver Gateway Strategy, a federal initiative aimed at expanding Canada's trade capacity through the Port of Vancouver and strengthening transportation infrastructure on the West Coast. According to the federal government, the strategy includes advancing the Roberts Bank Terminal 2 expansion project in Delta and referring Alberta's proposed West Coast oil pipeline project to the Major Projects Office for an expedited review under a single regulatory approval process. The government said the initiative is intended to
CanadaJul 16, 2026

Meta introduces new Instagram AI safety features for minors as Canada advances online safety legislation

Meta has announced new safety features for minors using its Instagram AI chatbot, introducing parental alerts for conversations involving self-harm or suicide. The update comes as the Canadian government moves forward with proposed online safety legislation aimed at strengthening protections for young users. According to Meta, the new features became available Thursday in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia. If a minor discusses self-harm or suicide while interacting with Instagram AI, parents who have enabled the platform's Parental Supervision tools will receive an im
two-arrested-in-calgary-drug-trafficking-investigation-stolen-handgun-drugs-and-cash-seized
AlbertaJul 16, 2026

Two arrested in Calgary drug trafficking investigation; stolen handgun, drugs and cash seized

Calgary Police Service says two people have been arrested following a drug trafficking investigation that led to the seizure of a stolen handgun, ammunition, illegal drugs and cash. According to a Calgary Police Service news release, the investigation began in June after officers received information about an armed drug trafficking suspect. Investigators later executed a search warrant at a residence in the 500 block of McKinnon Drive N.E. in the Mayland Heights neighbourhood. Police say officers recovered a loaded 9 mm handgun that had been reported stolen from Strathmore, along with $7,819.6

Related News