Air Canada is pulling the plug on four seasonal U.S. routes ahead of schedule, marking the latest blow to Canadian air travel as skyrocketing jet fuel prices continue to squeeze the aviation industry.
The airline announced Thursday that rising fuel costs have made it impossible to maintain service on these routes through their normal seasonal timelines:
Routes Being Cut Short:
- Toronto to Sacramento — final flight August 1
- Vancouver to Raleigh — final flight July 29
- Toronto to Charleston — final flight September 6
- Montreal to Austin — final flight September 7
Air Canada says it plans to restore full service on all four routes when summer 2027 arrives. Passengers holding bookings on affected flights will be offered rebooking options or refunds, the carrier confirmed.
Industry-Wide Crisis Gripping Canadian Airlines
This marks the second major cut from Air Canada in recent weeks. Last month, the airline suspended six domestic and cross-border routes it deemed "no longer economically feasible" due to fuel costs. The moves underscore how severely geopolitical tensions are impacting everyday travellers across Canada.
The root cause: Middle East conflict and a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz have pushed global jet fuel prices to more than double their previous levels. Airlines worldwide are scrambling to adapt.
WestJet isn't faring much better. The Calgary-based carrier announced aggressive capacity reductions — roughly one per cent in April, three per cent in May, and nearly six per cent in June — by consolidating flights and trimming seasonal routes.
Rising Airfares Hitting Canadians' Wallets
Beyond flight cancellations, Canadian travellers are already feeling the pain at the ticket counter. Air Canada, WestJet, Porter Airlines, and Air Transat have all announced fare increases or fuel surcharges to offset spiralling costs.
For Calgary residents and Albertans planning U.S. travel, the message is clear: book early, expect higher prices, and consider alternative routes if heading to affected destinations.
This article is based on reporting from CBC Business.