High fuel costs will ground Air Canada flights to JFK from YYZ, YUL

Unrest in the Middle East has caused jet fuel prices to skyrocket

Published Apr 17, 2026  •  Last updated 11 minutes ago  •  2 minute read

An Air Canada flight lands at Trudeau Airport in Montreal Wednesday Aug. 20, 2025. Photo by John Mahoney /Montreal Gazette files

OTTAWA — Travellers hoping to catch an Air Canada flight to a major New York City airport this summer may be out of luck.

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On Friday, Air Canada announced they would be suspending flights to John F. Kennedy International Airport on Long Island — one of three major airports serving the New York City area.

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The decision, said a spokesperson, was due to a recent doubling of jet fuel prices, thanks to the ongoing war in Iran.

The cancellations are expected to begin in June and last until at least October.

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Fuel prices putting pressure on travellers

Despite pressures seemingly easing in the Strait of Hormuz, fuel prices around the world continue to skyrocket.

Houston spot prices for Jet A fuel — used universally by commercial jet aircraft — have seen enormous increases, averaging around US$4.62 per gallon this month.

That represents an 85% increase from prices recorded at the end of last year.

As it costs refiners more to produce jet fuel compared to other types of fuel, jet fuel has seen prices rise much faster than the oil it’s produced from — what analysts call a “crack spread,” referring to the hydrocarbon “cracking” process used to refine crude oil into useful products.

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Air Canada maintains they’ll still provide service to other airports in the Big Apple, offering 34 daily flights from six Canadian cities.

Analysts say travellers can expect to pay up to 10% more for airfare until the end of this year.

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Other airlines impacted

Air Canada has joined other airlines within Canada and around the world in raising prices to offset the higher fuel costs, largely through fuel surcharges levied when tickets are purchased.

Starting April 8, WestJet began adding an $60 fuel charge for bookings made with companion vouchers as a “temporary measure” until fuel prices stabilize.

Dubai-based Emirates tacked on fuel surcharges for flights destined to North America, with economy passengers paying an extra $322 per ticket, and $1,023 for those in business class.

Taiwan’s EVA Air added a $120 surcharge for flights to and from the United States and Canada, while Australia’s Quantas are tacking on levies of up to $800 depending on destination and class.

— With files from The Canadian Press

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