United Kingdom
United States
Asia Pacific
WestJet laying off more than 3,300 workers
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.
.
TravelMole Editorial Team
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.
Mark Jaronski of Explore Georgia on FIFA World Cup 2026
Connecting Small Businesses to Global Tourism Markets: Nate Huff of Tourism Exchange
North Carolina’s Resilience: Wit Tuttell on Recovery and Tourism
Kittipong Prapattong’s Plan for Thailand’s Tourism Growth: Taxes, Visas, and Campaigns
James Jin: Didatravel’s Journey from China to Global Reach and the Impact of AI on Travel
Darien Schaefer on Pensacola’s Evolution: From Small Town to Global Destination
Florida Tourism’s Next Frontier: Dana Young on Expanding Beyond the Classics
Patrick Harrison on Tampa Bay Tourism’s Resilience and Marketing Strategy
Bubba O’Keefe on Clarksdale’s Vibrant Music Scene
Commemorating Elvis and Embracing Tupelo’s Culture with Jennie Bradford Curlee
Craig Ray and the Expansion of the Blues Trail
Presenting Mississippi’s Cultural Trails with Katie Coats
BA suspending all Heathrow to Abu Dhabi flights
Turkish Airlines flight in emergency landing after pilot dies
Unexpected wave rocks cruise ship
Woman dies after going overboard in English Channel
Foreign Office issues travel advisory for winter sun destinations