WestJet Airlines has announced the suspension and reduction of nine cross-border routes in response to a decrease in demand influenced by U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs. This decision comes as fewer Canadians are opting to travel to the United States as the airline evaluates its operational strategies based on customer demand.
Specifically, WestJet will suspend flights from Vancouver to Austin from May to October. Additionally, routes from Calgary to Fort Lauderdale, Edmonton to Chicago, St. John’s to Orlando, and Winnipeg to Orlando will see flight suspensions throughout the month of June. The airline will also suspend services for flights from Kelowna to Seattle and Winnipeg to Los Angeles between June and August. Finally, flights from Edmonton to Atlanta and Winnipeg to Las Vegas will be suspended during July and August.
A WestJet spokesperson articulated the airline's commitment to adapting its schedule in line with market demand, stating, "We remain committed to reviewing opportunities for direct service on these routes in the future."
In a contrasting move, WestJet recently announced an expansion of its domestic routes, aimed at facilitating easier connections for Canadians traveling to its transatlantic network from Halifax and St. John’s during the summer months. This expansion highlights the airline's strategic shift towards strengthening its domestic offerings amid declining international travel to the U.S.
Air Canada has reported a significant drop in Canada-U.S. flight bookings, with a decline of approximately 10 percent for the period spanning from April through September. This trend aligns with broader statistics indicating a recent decline in cross-border travel.
According to Statistics Canada, the number of Canadians returning home by car from the U.S. has decreased by nearly 32 percent compared to March 2024. This statistic represents the third consecutive month of year-over-year declines, marking the steepest drop since the onset of the pandemic.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection data reflects this trend, showing a reduction of more than 910,000 land border crossings from Canada into the U.S. last month compared to March 2024, translating to over a 22 percent decrease. In contrast, return trips from countries outside the U.S. have seen an uptick, increasing by roughly nine percent year-over-year last month.
The operational adjustments made by WestJet highlight the airline's responsiveness to changing travel patterns and market realities. While these suspensions reflect current challenges in cross-border travel, WestJet's ongoing commitment to reviewing routes indicates a potential for future service restoration should demand warrant it. The overall travel landscape continues to evolve, significantly influenced by factors such as tariffs and shifting consumer preferences.
