Viking Air is laying off 136 employees from its Sidney North Saanich warehouse.
The company confirmed layoffs in an email to C-FAX, saying the layoffs are temporary as they stop production to consider a re-alignment.
“Viking is realigning its business strategy to better position the company for growth and stability. The realignment supports a growth vision to establish Longview Aviation Capital (Viking’s parent company) as a leader in the Canadian aviation industry, manufacturing, supporting and supplying Canadian aircraft, products and services worldwide,” the company said in an email.
The statement goes on to say there is a need to shutoff production to its new Twin Otter aircraft for three months at the beginning of July as to allow sales to catchup with production.
Layoffs are also expected at the company’s warehouse in Calgary.
Viking Air CEO Dave Curtis is scheduled to appear on C-FAX with Ryan Price at 12:15pm on Wednesday.