Toronto (Canada), April 18, 2026, BNN Web Staff: Air Canada has announced the suspension of six domestic and international routes, citing a sharp rise in jet fuel prices linked to ongoing tensions in West Asia.
In an official statement, the airline said fuel costs have surged significantly since the escalation of the Iran conflict, making several low-margin routes “no longer economically feasible.”
As a result, the company is adjusting its schedule, including cutting frequencies and temporarily halting select services.
Among the affected routes, domestic flights between Fort McMurray and Vancouver will be discontinued from May 28, while the Yellowknife–Toronto route will cease operations from August 30.
Cross-border services are also impacted, with flights from Salt Lake City to Toronto set to pause from June 30, with a tentative return planned for 2027.
Additionally, Air Canada will temporarily suspend flights connecting Toronto and Montreal to New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport starting June 1.
These services are expected to resume on October 25. Despite the cuts, the airline said it will continue operating multiple daily flights to other New York-area airports.
A planned international route between Guadalajara, Mexico, and Montreal has also been put on hold.
The airline stated that affected passengers will be contacted and provided with alternative travel arrangements. Overall, the reduction is expected to impact roughly one percent of its annual seating capacity.
The decision comes amid a broader crisis in the aviation sector, as global fuel prices have more than doubled due to supply disruptions.
Industry experts have warned of potential flight cancellations and reduced services worldwide if the situation persists.
Other carriers, including WestJet, have also begun trimming capacity on less profitable routes in response to rising operational costs.
