Here’s what to do if your flight is cancelled because of fuel costs | Canada Voices

Most of Canada’s biggest airlines have cancelled or consolidated some domestic and international flight routes over the past two weeks.

All but one of the world’s 20 largest airlines have cancelled scheduled May flights, spanning every major region, according to aviation analytics firm Cirium.

Which flights are being cancelled, and what are your rights if you are affected? Here’s what you need to know.

Why are flights being cut by airlines?

Airlines around the world are cutting flights because of a jet-fuel shortage. Jet-fuel prices have doubled since the U.S.-Iran war began, as Iran has effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz, through which moves 20 per cent of global oil supplies and a significant amount of jet fuel for Europe.

Some companies, including Air Canada and WestJet Airlines, are increasing fares or charging more for baggage to make up for these costs. The latter also introduced a temporary $60 fuel surcharge for certain bookings.

Which Canadian airlines are cancelling flights?

Air Transat was the latest Canadian commercial airliner to announce that it will be cutting flight capacity for the coming season. The Montreal-based airline said Wednesday that it will reduce flight frequency on some European and Caribbean routes for the summer season while extending the suspension of Cuban flights until October.

Air Canada stated on Friday that the airline will be suspending six flight routes, with the high flight costs rendering the routes unprofitable. These include the routes between Fort McMurray and Vancouver, Yellowknife and Toronto and daily flights to New York’s John F. Kennedy Airport from Montreal and Toronto.

WestJet said Monday that it has reduced capacity on its flights by about one per cent in April, three per cent in May and nearly six per cent in June. The airline says it hasn’t eliminated any routes so far, but it is “evaluating its summer schedule” with an eye to possible cuts.

Which flight routes are being targeted?

Any flight route that airlines deem unprofitable – typically shorter flights within the same country – are likely to be cut first. However, domestic flights in Canada are expected to remain relatively stable, as Canada can use its own refiners for oil. There also has not been widespread disruptions to many Canadians’ existing bookings.

Canadians travelling to Europe and parts of Asia on non-Canadian carriers may face flight disruptions and cancellations within the coming weeks. The International Energy Agency said last week that Europe could be six weeks from a jet-fuel shortage caused by the loss of Mideast supplies.

Britain and parts of Southeast Asia are particularly dependent on imported aviation fuel, and flights there may be more affected by fuel shortages.

What happens if my flight is cancelled? What are my rights?

If an airline cancels a passenger’s flight because of fuel shortages, the carrier must still offer the choice for either a refund or rebooking on the next available flight, including with a competitor.

Airlines may also offer travel vouchers as a form of a refund, but only if the voucher does not expire, and the customer confirms in writing that they have chosen the voucher, according to the Canadian Transportation Agency.

Under European rules, which apply if a passenger flies from or within Europe, travellers are also eligible to get their meal and accommodation costs covered if they’re unable to fly.

Should I rebook my flight pre-emptively?

It’s still advised to book flights now or hold tickets that are fully refundable as opposed to holding off, despite the potential for cuts or consolidations. Airlines are absolved of responsibility to rebook or provide a refund if a passenger cancels a flight first.

Travellers who already bought insurance should also make sure that their coverage will reimburse them for a fuel shortage.

“[Insurance companies] might fall back that it is an act of war,” said insurance expert Martin Firestone, which many don’t cover.

With reports from Eric Atkins, Mariya Postelnyak, Nicolas Van Praet, the Associated Press and The Canadian Press