WestJet halts many US flights as Canadians say ‘no' to Trump's America
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Canada's second-largest airline, WestJet Airlines , announced that it is suspending nine of its US routes due to a significant decline in demand. Their announcement was attributed to cancellations due to a combination of political tensions and a growing reluctance among Canadians to travel to the United States Among the affected flights is a new route between Vancouver and Austin, which was supposed to begin next week. Now, this service is delayed until at least October 2025.Other impacted routes include direct flights between Calgary and New York , Edmonton and Chicago, and Kelowna and Seattle Josh Yeats, spokesperson for WestJet, stated that the airline is closely monitoring market conditions.'WestJet continuously evaluates and adjusts its schedule to meet demand, and we remain committed to reviewing opportunities for direct service on these routes,' he said.He said, 'WestJet continuously evaluates and adjusts its schedule based on demand,' underlining the airline's adaptability in a changing market.For many Canadians, summer travel plans are now shaped less by price or convenience and more by politics. US President Donald Trump 's repeated rhetoric and claims that Canada should be annexed as the 51st state are seen as a threat to Canadian sovereignty.Ongoing trade disputes add another level of tension and appear to be influencing travel behavior, with more Canadians opting to travel within their own country or to international destinations instead of the US.Another major carrier, Air Canada , has also reported a slowdown in US flight bookings. To adapt, it has redirected its focus toward expanding services to Latin America, Mexico, and the Caribbean. In March, they announced that reservations for transborder flights between Canada and the US for the April–September travel season had decreased by 10 per cent year over year.Both airlines are increasing domestic flights and exploring new European routes.As a result, WestJet is adjusting its strategy to focus on domestic flights and European destinations, where demand remains strong. The airline has introduced new services to destinations like Paris, Amsterdam, and Barcelona from Halifax, providing Canadians with more options beyond the US.A recent survey by the Tire and Rubber Association of Canada revealed that 88 per cent of Canadians now prefer road trips within Canada rather than venturing into the US.These disruptions and changing behaviour underscore the significant influence that political rhetoric and international relations can have on consumer behavior.
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