Canadian Airlines Add Fuel Surcharges on Jet Price Surge

Canadian airlines are imposing temporary fuel surcharges on select bookings and reducing flight capacities as jet fuel prices surge amid ongoing conflict in the Middle East, increasing costs for passengers during the busy spring travel season.

WestJet, based in Calgary, announced it will add a $60 surcharge to all bookings made with companion vouchers starting Wednesday. The airline stated that fuel represents its largest operating expense, and the measure addresses recent price spikes that limit pricing flexibility for such vouchers. Standard airfares, which fluctuate with market conditions, remain unaffected by this specific charge. To further manage expenses, WestJet is consolidating flights on lower-demand routes and shortening seasonal services, resulting in a one percent capacity reduction network-wide in April and three percent in May. Affected passengers have received same-day re-accommodation options, the airline said.

Other carriers have taken similar steps. Flair Airlines introduced a variable carrier surcharge effective Monday, ranging from $40 for domestic round-trip flights to $60 on select international routes like Calgary to Puerto Vallarta. The fee, displayed...