On Monday, WestJet announced it would be cutting its flight capacity by 20% due to the increasing costs of jet fuel. The decision comes after Air Canada, the country’s largest airline, made a similar move last month.
As the price of jet fuel continues to rise, we’ve been left with no choice but to adjust our capacity to ensure the long-term sustainability of our business, said WestJet CEO, Alexis von Hoensbroech, in a statement.
The airline will be reducing the number of flights on several routes, including those to the United States and Europe. This move is expected to affect over 100,000 passengers per month. According to WestJet, the cost of jet fuel has increased by 30% in the past year, with the airline spending over $1.2 billion on fuel in 2022. The rising fuel costs have been attributed to the ongoing conflict in Eastern Europe and the subsequent sanctions on Russian oil exports. As a result, WestJet has been forced to increase its ticket prices by an average of 15% to offset the additional costs. The airline has also announced plans to increase its use of more fuel-efficient aircraft, such as the Boeing 737 MAX, which is expected to reduce fuel consumption by up to 20%.
- Key facts about WestJet’s capacity cuts include:
- 20% reduction in flight capacity
- Over 100,000 passengers per month affected
- 30% increase in jet fuel costs over the past year
The decision by WestJet to cut its flight capacity has significant implications for the Canadian airline industry.
There was a sense of unfolding as the news broke, and many passengers are now scrambling to adjust their travel plans, said Karen McIsaac, a travel agent in Toronto.
As the situation continues to evolve, passengers can expect to see higher ticket prices and reduced flight options. What happens next will depend on the ability of airlines to adapt to the changing fuel market and find ways to reduce their costs without sacrificing service.