Rental car agencies hit with over 700 layoffs in NC as coronavirus halts travel
The parent company of several rental car agencies has laid off 743 people in North Carolina, including 271 in Mecklenburg County, according to a state filing, as the new coronavirus has decimated the travel industry.
The layoffs at Enterprise Holdings, which operates the Enterprise, Alamo and National brands, affect workers in three Charlotte locations: one in the University area, one at the airport and another in south Charlotte near the intersection of Tyvola Road and Interstate 77, according to the filing.
The other layoffs in the state for the rental car workers were in Wilmington, with 233, Morrisville with 126 and Raleigh, which saw 113 layoffs.
In a statement provided by spokeswoman Sara Miller, the company said its business has come to a standstill due to COVID-19. As a result, firm said it is undertaking cost-cutting measures such as reducing hours for part-time staff, pausing hiring, temporary furloughs and pay cuts for employees and senior executives.
Some of the staff reductions are permanent, and the company said it is providing severance and other resources for those employees.
Of the laid off employees in Mecklenburg County, 90 worked at Charlotte Douglas International Airport, where workers have been affected by coronavirus-related cutbacks. Concession company HMSHost laid off 815 people who work at the airport temporarily, according to a state filing.
Statewide, the number of people filing for unemployment has surged as a result of the coronavirus, with nearly 734,000 claims filed through April 23, according to the N.C. Division of Unemployment Security.
