Air Canada recalls 2,600 staff

Air Canada (AC, Montréal Trudeau) is recalling more than 2,600 employees as it prepares for an increase in scheduled flights, while also extending the deadline for customers to apply for a COVID-19 refund. Employees will be brought back in stages in June and July 2021 as vaccinations in Canada increase, COVID-19 cases decline, and authorities ease restrictions, The Canadian Press reports. The news came after Ottawa announced an end to quarantine hotel stays for fully vaccinated citizens and returning permanent residents. Canada’s largest airline laid off tens of thousands of employees during the pandemic, including 16,500 in March 2020 when the crisis began. In April 2021, the airline reached an agreement with Ottawa for a CAD5.9 billion Canadian dollar (USD4.8 billion) aid package.

Air Canada in a statement also announced it was extending its deadline for COVID-19 refunds by 30 days until July 12, 2021, as only 40% of 1.8 million eligible customers had so far requested a refund since April 13, 2021, when the refund policy came into effect. The airline said it viewed this as a vote of confidence as it indicated that most customers had kept their travel credits and intended to fly with the carrier in the future, said Executive Vice-President and Chief Commercial Officer, Lucie Guillemette.