Canadian carrier WestJet said it is laying off more than 3,300 workers as it makes ‘organizational changes to secure its future.’
These ‘unavoidable changes’ are necessary, said CEO Ed Sims as it will now contract out airport operations in all domestic airports apart from Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton and Toronto.
It represents about a quarter of its workforce.
It will work with airport partners who will make commitments to rehire as many of these impacted employees as possible.
It affects about 2,300 customer service agents and baggage handlers.
"Reducing WestJetter roles has always been a last resort. If there were other viable options open to us, we would be taking them," Sims said in a video message.
The organizational changes also extend to consolidating all call centre operations in Calgary, resulting in 430 job cuts.
In addition, 600 head office workers will be laid off.
The announced changes will not impact WestJet pilots and cabin crew.
"The reality in which we find ourselves requires difficult and often painful decisions to ensure our continued viability in the future," Sims said.
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