Several North American regional carriers have cut or ceased operations as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to batter the global aviation industry.
Canada’s Sunwing will suspend operations on 24 March, according to the union representing Sunwing pilots.
The airline employs some 470 pilots, some of whom are expected to be laid off in coming days.
“Given the severe impact COVID-19 has had on our business, and the efforts we are putting in place to bring thousands of Canadians home, we are actively seeking government support,” said the airline’s president Mark Williams.
Sunwing has been offering free seats to Canadians stranded abroad during the crisis, as part of the country’s broader repatriation effort.
Minneapolis-based Compass Airlines is also shutting down as of April, a significant blow to low-cost aviation based out of California and the west coast. As demand for air travel tumbles in the US, American Airlines cut the majority of Compass’ contract flying based out of LAX.
Other regional carriers owned by mainline partners seem to be facing fewer challenges as yet in the US and Canada. These include:
- Horizon Air (owned by Alaska);
- Envoy (American); and
- Piedmont Airlines/PSA Airlines (Delta).
However, with even the largest airlines around the world slashing flights, grounding aircraft and requesting government assistance, it is unclear whether this will remain the situation for long.
Other major announcements overnight include:
- Hawaiian Airlines – cutting flights by at least 40 per cent in April and May. Flights impacted include international routes, mainland routes, and even neighbour island offerings. The move is touted to severely impact regional carrying capacity around the Pacific region, with Hawaiian slashing Fukuoka and Okinawa routes.
- Deutsche Lufthansa – CEO Carsten Spohr said Thursday that 95 per cent of seats will be cut from the airline’s current scheduling. This will bring Lufthansa’s timetable back to a level last seen in 1955.
- Singapore Airlines – the company announced that it will cut flights across both its flagship and SilkAir offerings, at least until May.
