Discovery Air to lay off some Yellowknife employees

Discovery Air is cutting a number of employees at one of its airlines, Yellowknife-based Air Tindi.

Discovery Air confirmed the layoffs, but would not say how many jobs will be affected.

"Air Tindi's business fluctuates over the course of the year and the winter is typically is a slower season," said Sheila Venman, the vice-president of human resources and communications for Discovery Air.

Hughie Graham, the president of the NWT Chamber of Commerce, said the layoffs could signal a couple of things for the industry.

"It begs a question because are they getting laid off because of a lack of business or lack of capacity, or are they getting laid off because of business decisions to trim the fat? If its business, then we need to look at the root of the problem," he said.

Graham said service cuts within the airline industry are among his biggest concerns.

Discovery Air said it will have more details on the cuts in the next few days.

The company'sstock has slumped over the last year. Once trading for as much as $4.37 a share, today shares are selling for $2.65.