Air travel faces challenges due to the surge in fuel prices. Air Canada announced on Thursday that it is suspending service earlier than scheduled on four seasonal routes to U.S. destinations due to the high cost of jet fuel. The affected routes and their last flight dates are as follows: Toronto to Sacramento on Aug. 1, Vancouver to Raleigh on July 29, Toronto to Charleston on Sept. 6, and Montreal to Austin on Sept. 7. Air Canada plans to resume full service on these routes in the summer of 2027, with affected passengers being provided alternative travel options or refunds as applicable.
Global airlines have started reducing flights as escalating tensions in Iran and the resulting oil blockade in the Strait of Hormuz have led to a significant increase in jet fuel prices. Last month, Air Canada announced the suspension of six domestic and cross-border routes that were no longer economically viable. WestJet also disclosed a reduction in capacity by approximately one percent in April, three percent in May, and nearly six percent in June by consolidating flights on certain routes and shortening the seasonal service period to various destinations.
The jet fuel scarcity has also impacted airfares, prompting airlines like Air Canada, WestJet, Porter Airlines, and Air Transat to announce fare hikes or surcharges to counter the escalating costs.
