Alerts Sign-up
Recent data indicates a significant reduction in flight bookings from Canada to the United States for the months of April through September. According to aviation analytics firm OAG, bookings are down by over 70% compared to the previous year. This decline coincides with increased tariffs implemented by the U.S. and political tensions.
John Grant, chief analyst at OAG, attributed the decrease in bookings to "ongoing uncertainty surrounding the broader trade dispute." In contrast, Air Canada disputes this analysis, claiming it does not reflect their booking patterns. The company acknowledges a slight decline in the transborder market and has adjusted capacity accordingly, but insists the drop is not as severe as OAG suggests. An Air Canada spokesperson stated, "the decline Air Canada has experienced is not of the magnitude cited," and emphasized that the reduction is "significantly less" than indicated by the preliminary data.
The Trump administration's imposition of a 25% tariff on most Canadian goods and the prospect of expanding these tariffs has strained relations between the two countries. This has led to a drop in travel from Canada to the U.S. In February, Justin Trudeau, the former Canadian Prime Minister, encouraged Canadians to "choose Canada" for travel plans, stressing national solidarity amid these tensions.
