Canadian North Announces Layoffs of 15 Pilots Amid Service Changes

Canadian North has announced plans to lay off 15 Boeing 737 pilots due to a reduction in its jet service. The Air Line Pilots Association International, which represents the airline’s pilots, confirmed this decision following a significant operational shift at the airline.

The announcement came after the airline lost its Montreal-Kuujjuaq route and began winding down the first phase of a liquefied natural gas project in Kitimat, British Columbia. Steven Bard, chairperson of the union, expressed concern for the affected pilots and their families, stating, “It’s disheartening. Our thoughts are with the pilots that are affected and their families.”

According to Bard, the union received the news on Tuesday evening. The layoffs are attributed to the airline’s operational changes, which stem from the loss of the Montreal-Kuujjuaq route previously transferred to Air Inuit, a sister airline under the same ownership. The Exchange Income Corp. acquired Canadian North from the Inuvialuit Regional Corp. and Makivvik for $205 million in February, further complicating the airline’s service structure.

Bard noted that while only specific routes are impacted, the layoffs will affect a broad spectrum of pilots across the airline’s fleet of Boeing 737 jets. The loss of the Montreal-Kuujjuaq route indicates that the layoffs may become permanent. The remaining layoffs will depend on the timeline for the second phase of the Kitimat LNG project.

Currently, Canadian North employs 243 pilots, including 42 Boeing 737 pilots. The impending loss of 15 pilots represents nearly 36 percent of the airline’s Boeing 737 pilots and about 6 percent of its total pilot workforce. Bard mentioned that there is no established timeline for the layoffs, and discussions are ongoing between the union and the company to explore potential alternatives to reduce the number of affected pilots.

The union has been negotiating for a new collective agreement since October 27. Bard described the layoff announcement as an unfortunate coincidence and emphasized the union’s commitment to ensuring a fair contract for the pilots during this challenging time.

In response to the layoffs, Hance Colburne, manager of communications and stakeholder relations at Canadian North, confirmed that the layoffs were indeed due to the loss of certain routes. He stated, “No northern employment is being reduced, and no northern communities or services are affected.” Colburne also highlighted the company’s ongoing engagement with the union to minimize the impact of these layoffs on the workforce.

As Canadian North navigates these operational changes, the airline and its pilots face a period of uncertainty, with the union striving to advocate for its members while the company works to align its objectives with maintaining a strong workforce.