Air Canada laying off hundreds of staff as it slims operations
Air Canada announced that a round of layoffs will affect about one per cent of its staff as the airline looks to slim down its operations.
According to its corporate profile, as of 2023, Air Canada employed around 90,900 people across the country. An airline representative confirmed news of the layoffs in an email statement to Daily Hive.
“Following an extensive review, we arrived at the difficult decision to reduce some non-unionized management positions, amounting to around one per cent of our total staff,” reads the statement.
A one per cent cut would result in around 900 employees being laid off; however, the airline didn’t provide exact numbers. Air Canada said that it won’t be providing further details as it’s communicating directly with employees affected by the layoffs.
Air Canada stated that as a global company, it “regularly reviews its resources and processes to ensure they are optimized to efficiently support business operations and its customers.”
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Air Canada has grappled with other staffing challenges this year.
In August, the airline cancelled hundreds of flights after flight attendants went on strike, demanding an end to unpaid work and wage freezes and to ensure that wages are in line with the rising cost of living.
Air Canada could be looking at further losses as a proposed class-action lawsuit seeks reimbursement and compensation for travellers affected by the strike and flight cancellations.
The recent layoff announcement comes soon after Air Canada announced that starting in spring 2026, it’s adding U.S. routes from Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport to New York, Boston, and Chicago. The airline will also increase the number of flights to the U.S. from Montréal and Ottawa.