Flight cancellations and higher fuel costs shake up Maritimers’ travel plans

Many Canadian airlines are getting ready for a turbulent summer.

Travellers heading out of Canada are facing a growing mix of cancelled flights, rising fares and uncertainty about long-haul trips to Europe and Asia.

This comes as airlines grapple with higher fuel costs and global supply pressures.

At Halifax Stanfield International Airport, departure areas are filled with passengers rolling suitcases and setting off on long-awaited travel. However, behind the scenes, industry experts say turbulence is building for airlines and travellers.

Energy analyst Dan McTeague says the pressure is being driven by global fuel supply disruptions, pointing to the Persian Gulf as a key source of jet fuel that is now facing constraints.

“Travel to Europe is, of course, becoming a concern, and of course, if you are traveling to Asia - an even greater concern, since the availability of jet fuel is becoming much more scarce than even two weeks ago,” McTeague says.

He adds the impact is not just immediate, but likely to persist due to how airlines manage pricing.

A key factor is something called fuel hedging, which is a common airline practice, where carriers lock in fuel prices in advance through contracts to protect against sudden spikes.

While this can shield airlines from sharp increases in the short term, it can also mean they are still paying higher contracted rates even if market prices shift, which can keep fares elevated longer for passengers.

“Many of these carriers will be left with extraordinarily high prices to have to pass on to consumers,” McTeague says, adding that hedging could keep costs up for months.

McTeague also warns that travellers should be cautious when booking international trips, particularly when it comes to return flights.

“My best estimate would be to get a guarantee from the carrier, from your travel agent, to ensure that you will be able to get back, and there would be no additional charges,” he says.

For some travellers, the changes are already influencing future plans.

One person planning a fall trip to Europe told CTV News they have noticed prices rising significantly before even booking.

Another traveller, preparing for a trip to Spain, said their current fare is much lower than what is now being advertised, adding that continued increases could shift future plans closer to home.

Others travelling now say the uncertainty is already part of the journey.

One passenger heading to Europe said rising fares are one concern, but cancelled flights are an even bigger worry, especially with additional trips already booked later in the year.

Airlines have begun adjusting schedules and, in some cases, cancelling routes, including select flights to Europe.

McTeague says the broader impact could reshape summer travel patterns, with more Canadians choosing to stay closer to home.

“This will be a summer where people are going to have to make decisions on transport, which may exclude airline travel altogether,” he adds. “We come back to that old expression of staycations, where people stay a little closer to home.”

He says even if global tensions ease, higher fuel costs and airline surcharges may continue into the fall and beyond, keeping international travel prices elevated for the foreseeable future.

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