MONTREAL — Transat is bringing some 4,000 of its employees back on payroll and will use the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) to help make ends meet during these challenging times.

Like airlines around the world, Transat has had to ground flights and temporarily lay off staff during the coronavirus pandemic.

Airlines including Air Canada have also rehired employees to take advantage of financial assistance through CEWS.

On March 23, Transat announced the temporary layoff of 70% of its staff when it was forced by the COVID-19 pandemic to temporarily suspend its flights. Other layoffs followed, eventually totalling 80% of its workforce.

Employees who are recalled will receive 75% of their baseline remuneration, to a maximum of $847 per week. They will not be required to work as part of their recall.

This measure will both improve Transat employees’ compensation conditions and better position the company to more easily resume its regular operations following the crisis, says Transat President and CEO Jean-Marc Eustache.

“Temporarily laying off a large majority of our employees was a necessary but heartbreaking decision,” said Eustache. “We are very pleased today to be able to offer them this opportunity. Our employees are Transat’s greatest asset and I hope this will bring them some comfort in the face of a situation that is so distressing for all of us.”