Air Canada cuts eight U.S. routes as jet fuel prices surge

Air Canada announced the cancellation or delay of eight U.S.-bound routes for the winter season because of soaring jet fuel costs and weaker demand. Specific routes cancelled include Montreal‑Detroit, Montreal‑Minneapolis and Toronto‑Indianapolis, and the two previously suspended Montreal‑ and Toronto‑JFK flights will not resume. Seasonal flights to Florida – Ottawa‑Fort Lauderdale, Quebec City‑Orlando and Montreal‑Palm Beach – will start later in December rather than October. A spokesperson said, “Air Canada regularly reviews its schedule to ensure capacity is aligned with customer demand and seasonal travel patterns.”

The cuts follow a broader trend, with WestJet and Air Transat also reducing U.S. capacity after jet fuel prices rose sharply amid the Iran conflict. Statistics Canada data show Canadian arrivals from the U.S. fell 28 % year‑over‑year. Air Canada will increase service to New York’s LaGuardia airport with up to five daily flights from Toronto’s Billy Bishop airport, and it expects to restore some suspended routes in future winters.