Premier Andrew Furey says the newly appointed federal Transport Minister understands the significance of continued cuts to air service as a result of travel disruptions caused by the pandemic.

Air Canada yesterday announced a further 25 per cent cut to services affecting 1,700 jobs.

That includes cuts to service to Gander and Goose Bay and the temporary suspension of the Toronto-St. John’s flight effective January 23.

Transport Minister Omar Alghabra was appointed to the position this week in a federal cabinet shuffle. Despite that, Premier Furey says he’s taking the situation very seriously.

Furey says the federal minister indicated that they’re doing all they can to ensure regional access and secure jobs across the region and in Newfoundland and Labrador.