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WestJet to add surcharge to some bookings and combine flights due to fuel costs
The temporary fee applies only to companion voucher bookings as WestJet cuts capacity by about 1% in April and 3% in May.
- Calgary-Based WestJet will introduce a $60 surcharge on companion voucher bookings beginning Wednesday, April 8, though bookings made before that date remain unaffected.
- Rising fuel prices from the Middle East conflict prompted the temporary surcharge, with a WestJet spokesperson telling CBC News that fuel is the "largest contributor to airline operating costs."
- The companion voucher program, a WestJet RBC and Mastercard perk, allows cardholders a reduced fare for a second passenger, though the airline noted the "nature of our companion vouchers does not allow for this same flexibility."
- WestJet is consolidating flights on lower-demand routes to address higher expenses, reducing capacity by "approximately one per cent in April and three per cent in May" for most guests.
- Wayne Smith, a hospitality and tourism professor at Toronto Metropolitan University, says Canadian airlines are scrambling to cover costs since the war on Iran created a fuel shortage; the surcharge remains until "jet fuel prices return to normal levels.
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WestJet's decision reflects a cost management strategy to address the volatility of the fuel market, affecting the Canadian aviation industry.
·Montreal, Canada
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The Toronto Star+24 Reposted by 24 other sources
WestJet to add surcharge to some bookings and combine flights due to fuel costs
Calgary-based WestJet says it will be introducing a temporary $60 surcharge for certain bookings and has consolidated numerous flights due to skyrocketing fuel prices.
·Toronto, Canada
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Total News Sources38
Leaning Left23Leaning Right2Center5Last UpdatedBias Distribution77% Left
Bias Distribution
- 77% of the sources lean Left
77% Left
L 77%
C 16%
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