WestJet says the high price of jet fuel and ongoing supply issues will force it to substantially cut its capacity in the coming months.
One Canadian expert told Open Jaw there will likely be more such announcements in the coming days, going as far as to say the crisis could lead to the shuttering of an entire airline.
As first reported by Open Jaw, WestJet announced reduced capacity of approximately 1% this month, and a further 3% in May. A sizeable 5.5% reduction is planned for June, according to a note posted on their website on 20APR, 2026.
“Most of the impacts are on domestic routes, with minimal impact to our operations in the United States and to sun destinations,” WestJet officials said in a note to Open Jaw. “There have been no impacts to our transatlantic and transpacific flying at this time.”
WestJet said it has not made schedule changes due to fuel availability at this time, but is evaluating its summer schedule and may adjust flying to balance fuel supply, noting it’s in regular communication with fuel suppliers and is monitoring the global fuel situation closely.
No details on which WestJet routes will be affected have been released.
The Globe and Mail is quoting a report from Cirium that says WestJet reduced its June schedule by 279 flights, or 25,769 seats over the past few weeks. It was not clear if Monday’s reductions are included in those cuts, and WestJet would not immediately say.
John Gradek, an aviation expert at McGill University in Montreal, told Open Jaw it looks like WestJet will further shrink capacity by reducing the number of flights per day, or perhaps go from dailies on some routes to four or five flights a week.
He also warned the jet fuel crisis isn’t over yet.
“If the conflict in the Middle East picks up once again this week, aviation fuel prices will rise once again, and airlines will be facing more pressure on their bottom lines,” he said.
“I would speculate that we might see some carriers fold if this situation isn’t resolved shortly.
“And passengers have a limit as to how much of a fare increase they will pay.”
Air Canada has also cut six routes in response to fuel prices. As of 01JUN, 2026, Air Canada will cease its three daily flights between YYZ and JFK, as well as its once-daily service between YUL and JFK. The airline has also dropped plans to introduce flights between Guadalajara, Mexico and YUL, while flights between Salt Lake City and YYZ, Fort McMurray and Vancouver, and YYZ and Yellowknife are slated for suspension as well.
WestJet’s official statement reads as follows:
“As fuel prices continue to rise, WestJet has adjusted some flying to align with demand and best manage associated fuel costs. This includes consolidating flights on lower demand routes and adjusting the travel period for seasonal offerings. WestJet reduced capacity by approximately one per cent in April, three per cent in May and five and a half percent in June. Guests impacted by these changes are provided with reaccommodation options, most within the same day as their original departure.
WestJet appreciates guests’ understanding as it navigates these unprecedented and evolving supply chain pressures; the airline remains committed to providing exceptional travel experiences.”