Nav Canada announced this week that it is laying off several employees in response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Including the layoff of temporary employees last spring and some employees taking early retirement, the work force now comprises 720 positions fewer than the 5,100 employees they had on staff prior to the pandemic.

“Undoubtedly, the company is in the midst of the toughest moment in its history,” said the company’s president and CEO Neil Wilson. “Nav Canada is not immune to the economic downturn and severe financial impacts the aviation industry is experiencing.

Most of the trainees in the current cohort are also included in the layoffs.

A direct effect of the staff reduction is the imminent closure of the Flight Information Centres (FICs) in Winnipeg and Halifax. Nav Canada says that services currently offered by these FICs will be picked up by other FICs, and that air traffic service will not be impacted by the closures.

“The aviation industry is contracting and faces profound changes, added Wilson. “We continue to monitor the impact of the pandemic and will continue to take steps as they are necessary to align service with traffic levels while maintaining the integrity of the air navigation system.”

Photo credit: Nav Canada