Air Transat flight cuts

Air Transat is cutting about 6% of its planned summer flying, trimming flights from May through October as jet-fuel costs surge. (transat.mediaroom.com) The Montreal-based carrier said the changes include fewer frequencies on some Europe and Caribbean routes and an extension of its Cuba suspension through October 2026. (transat.mediaroom.com) Transat said most affected customers will be offered alternative travel options, and Chief Executive Annick Guérard said additional measures could follow if market conditions worsen. (transat.mediaroom.com) The cuts land in the peak transatlantic season, when Air Transat carries vacation traffic between Canada, Europe and the Caribbean. CBC reported that the airline said the prolonged Cuba suspension accounts for most of the capacity reduction. (cbc.ca) Fuel is one of an airline’s biggest variable costs, and the current shock has spread well beyond one carrier. The Independent reported jet fuel jumped from roughly $85-$90 a barrel to about $150-$200 in recent weeks as conflict in the Middle East disrupted supply routes. (independent.co.uk) Europe is especially exposed because a large share of its jet fuel comes from the Middle East, with supply through the Strait of Hormuz under pressure. The European Commission on April 22 proposed measures to move fuel more efficiently across European Union countries to reduce shortages. (independent.co.uk) Air Transat is not moving alone. Air Canada said it would suspend four of its 38 daily flights to New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport from June 1 to October 25, while WestJet said it had already cut capacity by about 1% in April, 3% in May and 5.5% in June. (cbc.ca) (openjaw.com) Industry data tracked by the International Air Transport Association show jet-fuel prices remain far above normal levels, and CBC reported the trade group says prices are about double where they were a year ago. (iata.org) (cbc.ca) For travelers, that means a summer of thinner schedules, fewer backup options on some leisure routes, and a higher chance that airlines keep reshuffling flights if fuel markets stay volatile. Air Transat said demand is still strong; the constraint is the cost and supply of fuel. (transat.mediaroom.com)