Editing WestJet (section)

===2020–2022: COVID-19 pandemic===
Due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]] response required by world governments including Canada, WestJet faced an unprecedented decline in demand for flights along with the rest of the aviation industry. In addition, there were numerous cases of COVID-19 reported on board WestJet flights.<ref>{{citation|title=Impacted Flights – Coronavirus (COVID-19)|url=https://blog.westjet.com/operational-updates-coronavirus-covid-19/|publisher=WestJet|date=March 6, 2020}}</ref>

In March 2020, WestJet suspended all international flights,<ref>{{cite news|title=WestJet to suspend all international and U.S. flights for 30 days starting Sunday|url=https://business.financialpost.com/transportation/airlines/westjet-to-suspend-all-international-and-u-s-flights-for-30-days-starting-march-22|publisher=National Post|date=March 17, 2020}}</ref> resulting in widespread workforce adjustments. Approximately half of the employees, totalling 6,900, were laid off on March 24.<ref>{{citation|title=WestJetters step up to minimize layoffs during COVID-19 crisis|url=https://blog.westjet.com/westjetters-step-up-to-minimize-layoffs-during-covid-19-crisis/|publisher=WestJet|date=March 24, 2020}}</ref> Subsequently, on April 9, WestJet temporarily rehired 6,400 employees through the federal wage subsidy program (CEWS).<ref>{{cite news|title=WestJet plans to use federal wage subsidy to rehire 6,400 employees|url=https://calgaryherald.com/business/air-canada-to-use-federal-wage-subsidy-to-re-hire-employees-westjet-still-evaluating/|publisher=Calgary Herald|date=April 9, 2020}}</ref> Additional layoffs followed, with approximately 8,000 employees between April and June,<ref>{{cite news|title='Last resort': WestJet laying off 1,700 pilots|url=https://calgaryherald.com/business/last-resort-westjet-laying-off-1700-pilots/|publisher=Calgary Herald|date=April 17, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=WestJet to lay off 3,000 more employees as demand for service craters|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/westjet-layoffs-1.5541755|publisher=CBC|date=April 22, 2020}}</ref> as part of a restructuring plan, leaving only 4,500 employees on the payroll. Before the pandemic, WestJet employed over 14,000 individuals.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Stephenson |first1=Amanda |title=WestJet employee head count down to 25% of pre-COVID levels |url=https://calgaryherald.com/business/westjet-employee-head-count-down-to-25-of-pre-covid-levels |access-date=January 28, 2023 |work=Calgary Herald |date=April 22, 2020}}</ref> By February 2021, the company laid off an additional 250 staff members due to ongoing travel restrictions.{{citation needed|date=June 2024}} However, it's noteworthy that a majority of employees were successfully recalled by February 2022, reflecting the company's efforts in adapting to the challenging circumstances.