Middle East War Causes Fuel Prices to Soar, Canada's Largest Airline Suspends 6 Routes
Due to soaring jet fuel prices caused by the Middle East war, Air Canada announced the suspension of 6 routes. Experts call this fuel shortage crisis potentially one of the most severe in aviation history. Other airlines are also adjusting operations.
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- 📰 Published: April 18, 2026 at 10:55
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Central News Agency
(CNA reporter Cheng Ai-fen, Vancouver, April 17) Due to the surge in jet fuel prices caused by the Middle East war, Canadian airline giant Air Canada announced the suspension of 6 routes, including domestic and international services. Experts point out that this fuel shortage crisis could be one of the most severe in aviation history.
According to The Globe and Mail, Air Canada will suspend its routes from Montreal and Toronto to New York JFK Airport starting June 1, with plans to resume operations on October 25. The Salt Lake City to Toronto route will be temporarily suspended from June 30, with plans to resume in 2027. The route from Guadalajara, Mexico, to Montreal has already been suspended.
On domestic routes, the Fort McMurray to Vancouver route will be suspended starting May 28, and the Yellowknife to Toronto route will be suspended starting August 30.
An Air Canada spokesperson said, "Since the conflict in Iran broke out, jet fuel prices have doubled. Some less profitable routes and flights have become difficult to sustain, necessitating adjustments. Affected passengers will be notified and provided with alternative travel options."
JFK Airport is the largest airport in the New York metropolitan area, but for Air Canada, its hub status is not as prominent as Newark Liberty International Airport or LaGuardia Airport. Air Canada stated that it will maintain 34 daily flights from six Canadian cities to the other two major New York airports.
According to the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), another major Canadian airline, WestJet, also announced that it will consolidate several lower-demand routes, reducing capacity by 1% in April and 3% in May.
Attacks on Middle East oil storage and refining facilities, coupled with the obstruction of tanker traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, have caused jet fuel prices to soar, with international crude oil prices rising 40% since the outbreak of the conflict in late February. Airlines worldwide are cutting flights, raising fares, and taking other measures.
German carrier Lufthansa became the first major airline to suspend flights due to high jet fuel costs.
Various airlines are also assessing losses from the Middle East war. British carrier EasyJet announced on Thursday that its bookings are lower than the same period last year. Hungarian carrier Wizz Air previously stated that its annual net profit would decrease by 50 million euros (approximately NT$1.85 billion).
Given that the Middle East previously accounted for 75% of Europe's net jet fuel imports, the International Energy Agency warned that Europe could run out of jet fuel within six weeks if the Strait of Hormuz remains blocked.
Canadian airlines' fuel is largely self-sufficient, with 80% of demand met by Canadian production and most of the remainder imported from refineries in the northeastern United States. However, John Gradek, a professor of aviation leadership at McGill University, stated that overseas fuel shortages could affect Canadian airlines' routes, forcing them to consolidate flights because they cannot carry enough fuel for the return trip.
Gradek said this crisis could be the most severe in aviation history, surpassing even the 9/11 attacks and the COVID-19 pandemic, because while the previous crises impacted demand, "there was never a fuel supply problem," whereas now, "without fuel, you can't fly." (Editor: Tang Sheng-yang) 1150418
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(CNA reporter Cheng Ai-fen, Vancouver, April 17) Due to the surge in jet fuel prices caused by the Middle East war, Canadian airline giant Air Canada announced the suspension of 6 routes, including domestic and international services. Experts point out that this fuel shortage crisis could be one of the most severe in aviation history.
According to The Globe and Mail, Air Canada will suspend its routes from Montreal and Toronto to New York JFK Airport starting June 1, with plans to resume operations on October 25. The Salt Lake City to Toronto route will be temporarily suspended from June 30, with plans to resume in 2027. The route from Guadalajara, Mexico, to Montreal has already been suspended.
On domestic routes, the Fort McMurray to Vancouver route will be suspended starting May 28, and the Yellowknife to Toronto route will be suspended starting August 30.
An Air Canada spokesperson said, "Since the conflict in Iran broke out, jet fuel prices have doubled. Some less profitable routes and flights have become difficult to sustain, necessitating adjustments. Affected passengers will be notified and provided with alternative travel options."
JFK Airport is the largest airport in the New York metropolitan area, but for Air Canada, its hub status is not as prominent as Newark Liberty International Airport or LaGuardia Airport. Air Canada stated that it will maintain 34 daily flights from six Canadian cities to the other two major New York airports.
According to the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), another major Canadian airline, WestJet, also announced that it will consolidate several lower-demand routes, reducing capacity by 1% in April and 3% in May.
Attacks on Middle East oil storage and refining facilities, coupled with the obstruction of tanker traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, have caused jet fuel prices to soar, with international crude oil prices rising 40% since the outbreak of the conflict in late February. Airlines worldwide are cutting flights, raising fares, and taking other measures.
German carrier Lufthansa became the first major airline to suspend flights due to high jet fuel costs.
Various airlines are also assessing losses from the Middle East war. British carrier EasyJet announced on Thursday that its bookings are lower than the same period last year. Hungarian carrier Wizz Air previously stated that its annual net profit would decrease by 50 million euros (approximately NT$1.85 billion).
Given that the Middle East previously accounted for 75% of Europe's net jet fuel imports, the International Energy Agency warned that Europe could run out of jet fuel within six weeks if the Strait of Hormuz remains blocked.
Canadian airlines' fuel is largely self-sufficient, with 80% of demand met by Canadian production and most of the remainder imported from refineries in the northeastern United States. However, John Gradek, a professor of aviation leadership at McGill University, stated that overseas fuel shortages could affect Canadian airlines' routes, forcing them to consolidate flights because they cannot carry enough fuel for the return trip.
Gradek said this crisis could be the most severe in aviation history, surpassing even the 9/11 attacks and the COVID-19 pandemic, because while the previous crises impacted demand, "there was never a fuel supply problem," whereas now, "without fuel, you can't fly." (Editor: Tang Sheng-yang) 1150418
Standing with the facts, your sponsorship is the power to protect press freedom
Download the CNA 'First News' APP for the latest updates
Content, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and used without authorization.