The Calgary-based airline said Friday that up to 1,000 of its employees will face furloughs, temporary layoffs, unpaid leave and reduced hours, while it will slash flight capacity by about a third as the coronavirus pandemic rages on, impacting travel. The company will also implement a hiring freeze. (The Logic) 

Talking point: WestJet president and CEO Ed Sims blamed “incoherent and inconsistent” government policy for the cuts, specifically claiming that the new testing requirements and the ongoing 14-day quarantine policy led to a reduction in new bookings and “unprecedented” cancellations. “We have advocated over the past 10 months for a coordinated testing regime on Canadian soil, but this hasty new measure is causing Canadian travellers unnecessary stress and confusion,” Sims said. Ottawa recently imposed rules requiring anyone coming into Canada to have a negative COVID-19 test before arriving, though that still does not exempt travellers from the mandatory 14-day quarantine. The slashing of flight capacity will result in WestJet operating at a more than 80 per cent reduction year over year, returning to levels not seen since June 2001.