Air travel faces challenges due to the sharp rise in fuel prices. Air Canada has announced the early suspension of service 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 intends to resume full service on these routes in the summer of 2027. The airline assures affected passengers that they will be provided with alternative travel options or eligible for a refund. Global airlines have started reducing flights in response to escalating jet fuel prices caused by the conflict in Iran and the resulting oil blockade in the Strait of Hormuz, leading to more than a doubling of fuel costs.
Last month, Air Canada announced the suspension of six routes, citing economic infeasibility. WestJet also disclosed a reduction in flight capacity in the upcoming months by consolidating flights and adjusting seasonal service to various destinations. The jet fuel scarcity has impacted airfares, prompting airlines like Air Canada, WestJet, Porter Airlines, and Air Transat to announce fare increases or surcharges to cope with the escalating costs.