COVID-19: Air Canada lays off 5,000 crew; France tries to save food supply
Following the rapid spread of the novel coronavirus across the globe, Air Canada on Monday (March 23) told they’re terminating more than 5,000 crew members after the country’s largest airline cuts routes amid plunging demand due to the pandemic.
Following the rapid spread of the novel coronavirus across the globe, Air Canada on Monday (March 23) told they’re terminating more than 5,000 crew members after the country’s largest airline cuts routes amid plunging demand due to the pandemic.
The COVID-19, which has dealt an unparalleled shock to the world economy, took over several countries including Canada which is attempting to stabilize their economies, companies struggle to cope and millions of people face job losses and disruptions in supplies of goods and in services.
The Montreal-based carrier is laying off about 3,600 employees, plus 1,549 flight attendants at its low-cost subsidiary Rouge, according to Wesley Lesosky, head of the Air Canada component of the Canadian Union of Public Employees.
The layoffs will take effect by April and affect roughly 60 per cent of flight attendants, Lesosky said.
Union officials said that the airline will suspend most of its international and US flights by March 31 and the employees will be returned to active duty status once flights resume.
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President Emmanuel Macron urged employees to keep working in French supermarkets and some other businesses deemed essential amid a spreading shutdown imposed to fight the coronavirus.
“We need to keep the country running,” Macron said.
Finance minister Bruno Le Maire said on Friday the whole supply chain for the food industry must be guaranteed after France shut down this week all restaurants, cafes, cinemas and retail shops that are deemed nonessential.
Many employees are working from home and the businesses that are allowed to remain open must enforce rules about social distancing, washing hands, and disinfection.
Meanwhile, the United Arab Emirates is also suspending passenger transits through Dubai, the world’s busiest international airport, for two weeks to help stop the spread of the coronavirus. The move of suspending transit through the Doha international airport, which connects Europe with Asia and Australia, will affect travellers around the world.
Related news: France says 1,30,000 citizens stuck abroad over coronavirus restrictions
Low-cost airline Eastar Jet has become the first South Korean carrier to shut down all flights as demand plunges due to the coronavirus.
The company says it will temporarily suspend its domestic flights from Tuesday to April 25. It has also halted international routes to Asian destinations this month after Japan began enforcing 14-day quarantines on passengers arriving from South Korea.
Other budget South Korean carriers including Air Seoul, Air Busan and TWay Air operate only domestic flights after suspending their international services.
(With inputs from agencies)
