WestJet says it is cutting flight capacity as the war in Iran causes the price of aviation fuel to soar.
The Calgary-based airline said it has reduced capacity by about one per cent in April, three per cent in May and nearly six per cent in June. Travellers affected by the changes are being provided alternate flight options, it said.
“As fuel prices continue to rise, WestJet has adjusted some flying to align with demand and best manage associated fuel costs,” the airline said in a news release.
WestJet said it hasn’t eliminated any routes so far, but it is “evaluating its summer schedule” with an eye to possible cuts.
It said it is in regular communication with its fuel suppliers and continues to monitor the global jet fuel supply situation.
For now, the carrier has consolidated flights on some routes and shortened the travel period for seasonal service to several destinations.
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Earlier this month, WestJet announced a temporary fuel surcharge of $60 on bookings made through WestJet Rewards companion vouchers.
WestJet did not say how long the temporary fuel surcharge will remain in place but told its customers it would be removed “once jet fuel prices return to normal levels.”
For Sunwing Vacations and Vacances WestJet Québec, it announced a fuel charge of $50 per person.
Air Canada announced last week it would suspend six routes, citing fuel costs that render them unprofitable.
The move included routes to New York City’s JFK airport from Toronto and Montreal between June 1 and Oct. 25.
Last week, Air Canada also announced higher baggage fees — to $45 from $35 for the first checked bag in its basic economy class on domestic, U.S. and sun destination flights.
Fuel often marks airlines’ highest cost. Air Canada spent more than $5.1 billion on it in 2024, amounting to 24 per cent of the carrier’s operating costs — its largest expense.
The U.S.-Israeli war on Iran launched in late February caused an effective shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz, prompting massive spikes in oil prices and even bigger jumps for jet fuel, which remains at double its pre-war price despite a shaky ceasefire.
About one-fifth of the world’s oil supply — 20 million barrels per day — travels through the waterway between Iran and the Arabian Peninsula on its way to the open seas and then to global customers.
Jet fuel, diesel and gasoline all derive from crude, making them sensitive to any swerve in its price.
In the month since the war began, energy and shipping experts have warned that an increase in energy costs would be passed on to consumers as major shortages were forecasted.
So, folks, you going to just keep paying these shysters? Going to keep dumping your hard earned coins into bottomless pits for low class service and sketchy flights around war torn countries for a vacay? People really, really are that self entitled and stoopid.
Truth is simply not Global’s thing is it. A truthful comment gets deleted in favor of garbage. A sincere statement is treated like propaganda and deleted. Trolls are allowed to roam free and use your name, spewing all kinds of garbage with it. But we dont dare say anything or pin the blame where it needs be. Heck no, thats brings cancel, delete, bans etc etc.
It was bound to happen
Canada is an economic sh*thole under these Liberals. EVERYONE loses especially the taxpayer! The constant gouge from corporations, unabated by a corrupt government and endorsed by the sleazy easy east. . And there is f*ck all we taxpayers can do can . The only recourse is civil unrest. Go after the very people undermining our democracy and sovereignty!
Oh, so they bring in less revenue per flight of approx 1%, I am sure that will help with fuel costs. That’s Canada. Bet the govt has some corporate welfare to hand out, along with canada post. We live under corporate socialism, afterall.
One way to stop the evil cloud seeding
By the end of the summer the airlines will be complaining about losing money especially Air Canada which will expect the government to compensate them.
Canadas economy is collapsing under Carneys incompetence.
Perhaps Carney should slash the taxes on jet fuel.