Canadian Airlines Reduce Flights to U.S. Amid Trade Hostility

In response to growing anti-American sentiment sparked by a trade war, Canadian airlines are significantly reducing the number of seats available on flights to the United States, marking a notable shift in travel patterns among Canadians who are turning towards other destinations.

Amid rising tensions in trade relations, Canadian airlines are bracing themselves for a challenging travel season as Canadians increasingly eschew trips to the United States. This shift comes on the heels of a grassroots campaign urging Canadians to boycott American products and services in response to perceived economic aggression from the U.S. government.

Since the onset of President Trump’s administration and its outward criticism of Canadian sovereignty, there has been an apparent ripple effect in the travel industry. In April, which marks a prime travel window for Canadians seeking warmer weather destinations, flights to the U.S. are seeing drastic reductions. Data from Visual Approach Analytics indicates that leading airlines like Air Canada are scaling back available seats by up to 7%, with discount carriers like Flair Airlines slashing capacity by 25%.

Travel expert Courtney Miller, managing director at Visual Approach Analytics, noted a clear shift in Canadian travelers’ behavior, stating, “We’re seeing Canadians book away from the U.S.” This trend is echoed in the actions of Canadian travel agencies, many of which have ceased promoting U.S. travel packages entirely. “We completely stopped promoting the U.S. because of the backlash from consumers,” said Flemming Friisdahl, CEO of The Travel Agent Next Door, representing a network of 1,500 agents.

As the trade war continues to unfold, both the Canadian aviation sector and the travel industry are bracing for potential multibillion-dollar losses, with the implications of a more strained relationship between Canada and the U.S. becoming increasingly evident.