Air Canada cuts service on more routes in response to rising fuel prices

An Air Canada flight makes its final approach as it lands at the airport Tuesday July 2, 2019 in Ottawa. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

Air Canada has confirmed that it is ending service on four seasonal flights earlier than planned this summer in response to a significant increase in the cost of jet fuel.

A spokesperson for the airline tells CTV News that service on flights from Toronto to Sacramento, Vancouver to Raleigh, Toronto to Charleston and Montreal to Austin will all be impacted.

The spokesperson said that Air Canada plans to resume full service on the routes in the summer of 2027.

“This decision was made as a result of the current price of jet fuel. Affected customers will be contacted with alternate travel options, including the option of full refund where applicable,” a statement notes.

Jet fuel prices have more than doubled since the start of the Iran war.

Last month, Air Canada suspended flights departing from Toronto and Montreal to New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport between June 1 and Oct. 25 in response.

WestJet has also previously announced plans to slash its capacity to help it better manage fuel costs.

The airline has said that will reduce capacity by about three per cent in May and nearly six per cent in June and is “evaluating its summer schedule” with the possibility that some flights could be cancelled.

The seasonal Air Canada routes that will see service cut early this summer are as follows:

• Toronto to Sacramento: Last flight is August 1
• Vancouver to Raleigh: Last flight is July 29
• Toronto to Charleston: Last flight is September 6
• Montreal to Austin: Last flight is September 7