Canadian Airlines Cancelling Hundreds of Flights as Jet Fuel Costs Soar

Are Major Canadian Airlines Cancelling Flights in 2026?

Yes — Air Transat, WestJet, and Air Canada have announced that they’re cancelling flights and/or reducing flight capacity in 2026 as they continue to grapple with soaring jet fuel prices sparked by the US-Iran war.

Air Transat

• Reducing capacity by 6% from May through October
• Flight frequency will be lower on some routes to Europe and the Caribbean
• Extending service suspension to Cuba through October

WestJet

• Reducing flight capacity by about 1% April, 3% in May, and nearly 6% in June
• Summer schedule is being “evaluated” — no routes have been eliminated yet
• Consolidated flights on some routes and shortened the travel period for seasonal service to several destinations
• Announced a temporary fuel surcharge of $60 on bookings made through WestJet Rewards companion vouchers

Air Canada

• Suspended 6 routes to New York City’s JFK airport from Toronto and Montreal between June 1 and Oct. 25
• Increased baggage fees to $45 from $35 for the first checked bag in its basic economy class on domestic, US, and sun destination flights

How Flight Cancellations Could Affect Airline Staff

Major Canadian airlines cancelling flights and/or reducing flight capacity could result in temporary layoffs and potentially permanent layoffs.

Disclaimer: The materials above are provided as general information about the rights of non-unionized employees in Canada. It is not specific to any one company and SHOULD NOT be read as suggesting any improper conduct on the part of any specific employer, or a relationship between Samfiru Tumarkin LLP and a specific employer.