TORONTO — Air Canada has confirmed it is reducing a number of non-union management positions following what it described as an “extensive review.”

Christophe Hennebelle, vice-president of corporate communications, said the airline “arrived at the difficult decision” to eliminate roles representing about one per cent of its total workforce, or roughly 400 positions. He added that the reductions will “not have any impact on day-to-day operations.”

As reported by CBC News, Hennebelle noted that Air Canada “regularly reviews its resources and processes to ensure they are optimized to efficiently support business operations and its customers.” The carrier did not specify whether the job cuts would occur through attrition or unfilled vacancies.

The staff reductions were announced the same day Air Canada revealed a significant expansion at Toronto’s Billy Bishop Airport. Beginning in January, the airline will introduce new daily flights to Ottawa and Montreal, followed by 10 new daily flights to four U.S. destinations – New York, Boston, Chicago and Washington, D.C. – starting this spring. “This is our most significant expansion at Toronto Island since Air Canada first served the airport 35 years ago,” said executive vice-president and chief commercial officer Mark Galardo.

The expansion positions Air Canada to compete more directly with Porter Airlines, which is headquartered at Billy Bishop and already operates service to the same four U.S. cities. Most of Air Canada’s international and domestic flights continue to operate from Toronto Pearson International Airport.

The announcement follows a turbulent summer for the airline. Operations were disrupted in August when approximately 10,000 unionized flight attendants went on strike, leading to more than 3,200 flight cancellations. The carrier also reported a two per cent decline in operating capacity year-over-year, citing the impact of the strike.

Air Canada is scheduled to release its third-quarter results on Nov. 5.