WestJet, Air Canada Adjust Flights Amid Soaring Fuel Prices

0:00It's April 20th. This is Canada News today, powered by AI. WestJet is pulling back on flight capacity as jet fuel prices skyrocket from the war in Iran. The airline says it's tweaking schedules to match demand and control those rising costs without scrapping any routes yet. Their eyeing changes to their summer lineup while keeping tabs on global fuel supplies. To cut expenses, WestJet can solidate flights on some paths and trim seasonal trips to key spots. They also slapped on a temporary $60 fuel surcharge for bookings through their rewards vouchers, plus $50 per person for Sunling, and WestJet Quebec vacations. That extra fee sticks around until prices normalize. Air Canada jumped first last week, suspending six unprofitable routes like Toronto and Montreal, to New York JFK from June 1st through October 25th. A bump basic economy baggage fees to $45 from 35 on domestic, U.S. and sun destination flights, hitting travelers right.

1:00In the wallet, fuel eats up the most cash for these carriers. Air Canada dropped over $5.1 billion on it in 2024, making up 24% of operating costs. The U.S. Israeli strikes shut down the straight of her moves, doubling jet fuel prices from pre-war levels despite a shaky ceasefire. Experts say these energy hikes will keep flowing to consumers, with shortages looming and shipping and crude. Airlines stay in touch with suppliers, but summer travel just got pricier for all of us.