WestJet shutting down Sunwing Airlines, adding it to main operations

WestJet is shutting down low-cost Sunwing Airlines and rolling its services into the mainline business as part of a plan to streamline operations. The integration will occur over the next two years.

The Canadian press reported the decision after obtaining an internal memo in which Sunwing Airlines president Len Corrado says “the change will unlock growth opportunities for the 18-year-old company as well as its employees.”

This decision follows closely on the heels of WestJet’s announcement that it is folding Swoop, another one of its budget airlines, into its main operations as well. WestJet purchased Sunwing’s airline and vacation services in May.

The memo does not indicate that Sunwing Vacations will be closed as well. This could indicate that Sunwing tour packages will still be available for purchase.

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Merging as major layoffs continue

WestJet’s decision to wind down Sunwing Airlines and add it into its main banner comes amid a flurry of layoffs in 2023.

Several major North American companies, including Suncor, JPMorgan, Meta, LinkedIn, Hudson’s Bay, and Accenture, are significantly scaling back their staffing levels as they continue to navigate challenging economic conditions.

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Termination agreements for Sunwing Airlines employees

As WestJet integrates Sunwing Airlines into its mainline operations, it’s possible that some non-unionized workers could be fired or let go.

In Canada, non-unionized employees and senior executives at the airline are owed full severance pay when they lose their jobs due to downsizing, corporate restructuring, or the closure of the business.

This includes individuals working full-time, part-time, or hourly in Ontario, Alberta, and B.C.

Severance can be as much as 24 months’ pay, depending on a number of factors.

LEARN MORE
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WATCH: Employment lawyer Lior Samfiru explains what rights employees have if they are being fired or let go on an episode of the Employment Law Show.

Before you accept any severance offer, have an experienced employment lawyer at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP review it and your employment contract.

We can tell you if what you have been provided is fair and how to get proper compensation if it falls short of what you are actually owed.

If you aren’t given the full amount, which happens often, you have been wrongfully dismissed and are entitled to compensation.

In some cases, employers pressure staff into accepting poor severance packages, such as imposing a deadline for accepting the offer.

Non-unionized employees in Canada have up to two years from the date of their dismissal to pursue a claim for full severance pay.