Airlines Slash Flights, Hike Fees Amid Soaring Fuel Prices

0:00It's April 22nd. This is Canada News Today, powered by AI. I'm Corey with the story. Air transit is slashing flights to Europe and the Caribbean because fuel prices are through the roof. They're cutting planned capacity by 6% from May through October, hitting the peak summer travel season hard. Plus, they're keeping flights to Cuba grounded until October. The airline's CEO, Anna Gerard, says the fuel markets wild swings are slamming the whole industry. The demand for seats is still strong, but they're watching closely and might make more cuts if prices don't ease up. This isn't just transat WestJet and the Air Canada have pulled back too. Air Canada suspended six routes, like Toronto and Montreal, to New York City's JFK, from June 1st through October 25th. Lift hands is dropping 20,000 short haul flights in Europe over summer, calling them unprofitable. To fight back, Air Canada, WestJet, and Sunwing added fuel surcharges and hiked baggage fees. First checked bag on basic economy now costs 45.

1:03Dollars up from 35 on North American and Sun routes. It all ties back to the war in Iran, sparked by US Israeli strikes two months ago, shutting the Strait of Hormuz. That key route for one-fifth of global crude is blockaded by Iran and the US, sparking this energy crunch and forcing airlines to scramble.