Air Canada is laying off more than 5,000 flight attendants, a union official says, as the country’s largest airline cuts routes amid plunging demand due to the coronavirus. The Montreal-based carrier is laying off about 3,600 employees, plus 1,549 flight attendants at its low-cost subsidiary Rouge.

The layoffs will take effect by April and affect roughly 60% of flight attendants. Air Canada says it will suspend most of its international and US flights by March 31. The carrier says employees will be returned to active duty status once flights resume.

Olympics could postpone to 2021

The Tokyo Olympics are going to happen – but almost surely in 2021 rather than in four months as planned.

This became clear after the IOC on Sunday announced it was considering a postponement and would make a final decision within four weeks. Major Olympic nations like Canada and Australia have added pressure by saying they will not send teams if the games are staged this year.

International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach sent a letter to athletes explaining the decision, while also acknowledging the extended timeline might not be popular.

“I know that this unprecedented situation leaves many of your questions open,” he wrote. “I also know that this rational approach may not be in line with the emotions many of you have to go through.”

The IOC’s move seemed inevitable for weeks with pressure mounting from all quarters _ athletes, sponsors, broadcasters and more than 200 national Olympic committees, and international sports federations.

French supermarkets

President Emmanuel Macron urged employees to keep working in French supermarkets and some other businesses deemed essential amid a spreading shutdown imposed to fight the coronavirus.

“We need to keep the country running,” Macron said.

Finance minister Bruno Le Maire said Friday the whole supply chain for the food industry must be guaranteed after France shut down this week all restaurants, cafes, cinemas and retail shops that are deemed nonessential. Many employees are working from home. Businesses that are allowed to remain open must enforce rules about social distancing, washing hands and disinfection.

Airline transit suspension

The United Arab Emirates is suspending passenger transits through Dubai for two weeks to help stop the spread of the coronavirus. Suspending transit through Dubai, which connects Europe with Asia and Australia, will affect travellers around the world.

Airline shutdown

Low-cost airline Eastar Jet has become the first South Korean carrier to shut down all flights as demand plunges due to the coronavirus. The company says it will temporarily suspend its domestic flights from Tuesday to April 25.

Eastar halted international routes to Asian destinations this month after Japan began enforcing 14-day quarantines on passengers arriving from South Korea. Other budget South Korean carriers including Air Seoul, Air Busan and T’Way Air operate only domestic flights after suspending their international services.