‘Huge changes:’ Iran war expected to reshape airline routes, costs

Tourists in Halifax say they’re planning on travelling within the country instead of heading to the U.S. Paul Hollingsworth reports.

The spring travel season is underway, and Halifax’s waterfront boardwalk is already busy with visitors.

“We thought about going to Vegas for a few days,” said Morgan Pilgrim, who used his vacation time with his wife to travel from St. John’s to Halifax. “We are happy to be in Canada, typically where it is safe.”

Halifax’s cruise ship season is now in full swing.

“April 8 was the first cruise ship arrival,” said Ambassatours Gray Line tour company president Sean Buckland, who added last year was Halifax’s busiest season, but he’s worried there could be a drop-off in 2026. “Certainly, there is a concern around fuel prices and there is a concern that consumers with discretionary income will travel less.”

Buckland is not adding a fuel surcharge for customers to cover his expenses. Instead, his company is offering more affordable tourism experiences.

“For example, we have walking tour as a way to mitigate the increasing cost of fuel,” said Buckland.

At Halifax Stanfield International Airport, air traveller Peter Thompson said he expects the war with Iran to change the way airlines do business, which could lead to an increase in costs.

“There are huge changes in the path that airplanes have to take. They are certainly not going to fly over Iran or Ukraine,” said Thompson.

Others are limiting their travel options and avoiding fuel surcharges implemented by airlines to minimize what they spend, while staying closer to home.

“My travel isn’t any different, except I won’t go outside of Canada,” said Joyce Brooks.

Fuel surcharges for airline travel come at a time when the overall inflation rate is already having an impact on the tourism industry.

Travel-tourism expert Barry Choi said that people who don’t travel on a regular basis could be in for a shock during the upcoming summer tourism season.

“When they are looking for airfares, or hotels for the first time in a while, they will look at those prices, and say ‘what happened?’ “, said Choi. “When you think about what’s happening at home, going to restaurants or grocery stores and gas stations, inflation has caught up everywhere in the world, so you do need to expect higher prices.”

According to Choi, in times of global conflict, travel delays typically increase.

“With limited aircraft around the world, one small delay at the beginning of the day could greatly impact a passenger who is travelling in the evening,” said Choi.

For all the mounting uncertainty around the tourism industry, Choi still expects Canada’s domestic summer tourism season to be busy. He urges travellers to research multiple locations to visit this summer and then choose the destination that feels safe and affordable.