Climbing jet fuel prices have partially grounded another Canadian airline, forcing it to cut back its flight schedule. Air Transat is the latest carrier to announce reductions due to the high cost of aviation fuel.
Flight Cuts and Route Adjustments
On Wednesday, Air Transat announced the suspension of six per cent of its flights, citing the oil shock arising from the war in the Middle East. In a public statement, the airline said it has revised its 2026 program with targeted adjustments on certain routes in response to the 'unprecedented aviation fuel crisis and exceptional volatility' in energy markets.
The airline noted that it 'has been facing significant fuel price volatility for several weeks,' along with supply constraints in regions such as Cuba. As a result, it is reducing the number of flights on some routes to Europe and the Caribbean and extending the suspension of service to Cuba until October. Affected customers will be offered alternative travel options.
Optimizing Capacity
The measures are aimed at optimizing capacity by prioritizing the airline's most profitable routes. 'The changes implemented to date represent a 6% reduction in planned capacity from May to October 2026,' Air Transat stated.
'The recent volatility in aviation fuel prices reflects an exceptional environment affecting the entire sector,' said Annick Guérard, president and Chief Executive Officer. 'We are closely monitoring the situation, as cost pressures continue to be felt across the industry. We will continue to optimize our program based on demand, which remains strong. Additional measures may be implemented depending on how the situation evolves, beyond our control.'
Industry-Wide Impact
Air Transat's decision follows similar moves by Air Canada and WestJet, which have trimmed capacity on less lucrative routes and grounded older, less fuel-efficient planes amid high fuel costs, according to Bloomberg. Air Canada, the country's largest airline, suspended a half-dozen routes due to higher fuel costs. WestJet announced flight capacity cuts from April through June, with a six per cent reduction in June.
Meanwhile, Lufthansa has announced reductions to its summer capacity. 'In total, 20,000 short-haul flights will be removed from the schedule through October, equivalent to approximately 40,000 metric tons of jet fuel, the price of which has doubled since the outbreak of the Iran conflict,' the airline said. The adjustments will reduce short-haul flights across the Lufthansa Group network at its six hubs in Frankfurt, Munich, Zurich, Vienna, Brussels, and Rome. Passengers will still have access to its global route network, particularly through long-haul connections.
Experts have warned about fuel shortages in Europe causing disruptions through the summer travel season, as previously reported by National Post.
