These Canadian Airlines are Suspending Flights & Revising Schedules Due to Rising Fuel Costs 

April 24, 2026 Team Contributor

The sharp rise in jet fuel prices, driven by geopolitical tensions and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, has disrupted global energy markets and industries.   

With jet fuel costs doubling (compared to mid-Feb levels, per the IATA Jet Fuel Price Monitor) following U.S.-Israel strikes on Iran, many Canadian airlines are now adjusting their networks at scale.

Jet fuel is 20% to 40% of an airline’s operating costs. Major airlines have implemented a slew of measures, including suspending select routes, reducing capacity, raising fares, and restructuring schedules to contain operating losses. 

The result is a noticeable suspension of flight availability across domestic and international destinations.  

Air Canada suspends routes across key markets 

Air Canada has suspended six routes, across domestic, transborder, and international sectors.   

• Domestic connectivity has been withdrawn between Fort McMurray–Vancouver and Yellowknife–Toronto 

• Planned expansion on Guadalajara–Montreal has been entirely paused  

• Temporary suspensions affect Toronto–JFK and Montreal–JFK and Salt Lake City–Toronto flight services, which is expected to resume in 2027 

These changes highlight that even short-haul, high-demand routes are being reshaped under cost pressure, rather than only low-performing segments.  

Transat reduces capacity amid long-haul pressure  

Montreal-based Air Transat, through its parent company, has cut overall capacity by 6%, signalling a strategic pullback on lower-performing routes. This has led to:  

• Reduced frequencies of flights between Europe and the Caribbean 

• Suspension of flights to Cuba has been extended until October 2026   

The schedule adjustments reflect growing pressure on leisure-heavy networks, where rising aviation fuel costs exhibits a stronger impact on pricing and margins.  

WestJet streamlines summer schedule  

WestJet is consolidating operations on lower-demand routes and revising its summer network.   

Rather than outright cancellations, the Calgary-based airline is focusing on frequency reductions and schedule optimisation, indicating a more measured response to jet fuel price surge.  

Lufthansa cuts European short-haul network  

Internationally, Lufthansa has cancelled around 20,000 short-haul flights across Europe, including routes from Frankfurt to Bydgoszcz, Rzeszów, and Stavanger.   

The move reflects broader industry-wide efforts to reduce fuel burn and stabilize operating costs.  

What this means for travellers  

The impact of Canadian airlines’ service cuts on passengers extends beyond cancellations. Aviation analysts warn that there will be no deals this summer, as airlines bake high fuel surcharges and reduced seat availability into their gross fares.

Travellers worldwide are increasingly facing higher fares, fuel surcharges, and reduced flexibility in routing options. For Canadians planning to visit Europe, costs add up as most key destinations are increasing tourist fees.

Even if fuel prices stabilize, airfares are likely to remain high as airlines continue to operate with reduced capacity and adjusted schedules. 

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