Air Canada suspending flights to JFK over rising jet fuel costs

Air Canada is suspending service to New York’s JFK International airport this summer with the Iran war causing jet fuel shortages resulting in higher prices. 

When will Air Canada suspend flights to JFK? 

Dig deeper:

Air Canada told the Associated Press on Friday that service from Toronto and Montreal to JFK International airport will stop June 1 and resume on Oct. 25. 

Flights to the New York area’s two other airports — LaGuardia and Newark — will remain the same. The AP reported that Air Canada offers 34 flights a day to those two airports from six Canadian cities.

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Air Canada plans to contact customers affected by the suspension with alternate travel choices.

What they're saying:

An Air Canada spokesman told the AP on April 17 that "As jet fuel prices have doubled since the start of the Iran conflict and some lower profitability routes and flights are no longer economic, and we are making schedule adjustments accordingly."

What are current jet fuel prices?

Big picture view:

According to Argus Media, the average price for a gallon of jet fuel jumped to $4.32 on April 16, an increase from $2.50 the day before the war in Iran started.

And on April 17, oil prices fell over 10% following Iran stating that the Strait of Hormuz is open again for commercial tankers transporting oil from the Persian Gulf to consumers globally.

Furthermore, fuel and labor costs are the biggest yearly expenses for airlines. Delta told the AP that the bill for higher fuel would add $2 billion to its second-quarter costs. 

JetBlue and United Airlines are increasing bag fees to neutralize soaring fuel costs, while other airlines like Lufthansa and KLM have reduced service, with jet fuel costs yielding some air travel routes unprofitable.