WestJet puts 1,000 workers on leave, citing government's 'Incoherent' policy

WestJet is cutting staff and flights, saying new federal COVID-19 testing rules for air passengers have led to a wave of cancellations.

The airline's CEO is laying the blame squarely on "incoherent" policy from Ottawa around the new rules.

Passengers returning to Canada are now required to obtain a negative PCR test at least 72 hours before boarding their flight.

The Calgary-based airline says about one-thousand employees will be furloughed, temporarily laid off, put on unpaid leave or have their hours cut.

Trip cancellations and reductions in new bookings began immediately after the federal government warned of the inbound testing rules and continued requirement for a 14-day quarantine on Dec. 31, said WestJet CEO Ed Sims in a statement.

The new flight cuts mean WestJet will have reduced flights by more than 80 per cent compared with the same time last year, it said.