WestJet introducing temporary fuel surcharge on companion voucher bookings
listen to this article
estimated 3 minutes
The audio version of this article has been generated by AI-based technology. There may be incorrect pronunciations. We are working with our partners to continually review and improve results.
WestJet is charging an additional $60 on companion voucher bookings due to rising fuel prices.
The airline’s companion voucher program is a WestJet RBC Mastercard benefit that allows cardholders to bring a second passenger on a round trip at a reduced fare.
WestJet says the surcharges are temporary, and will go into effect Wednesday, April 8. Bookings made before Wednesday will not be affected.
The surcharge will remain in place “until jet fuel prices return to normal levels,” WestJet said in an email sent to customers Friday morning.
The aim is to offset rising fuel prices as a result of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, a WestJet spokesperson said in a statement sent to CBC News.
“Fuel is the largest contributor to airline operating costs, and a temporary surcharge helps us manage the recent surge in fuel prices,” the statement said.
“Although airfares can be adjusted and there is more flexibility in pricing, the nature of our partner vouchers does not allow this flexibility.”
WestJet is consolidating flights
The airline is also adjusting its flight schedule to address higher fuel costs.
“This includes consolidating flights on low-demand routes and adjusting travel periods to account for seasonal offerings,” the airline said.
“We have reduced capacity by approximately one percent in April and three percent in May. The majority of guests affected by these changes have been provided re-accommodation options on the same day as their original departure.”
The cost of air travel is rising as jet fuel prices have increased by more than 50 percent due to the war in the Middle East, forcing many airlines to adjust their prices.
Wayne Smith, a hospitality and tourism professor at Toronto Metropolitan University, said WestJet is one of many Canadian airlines struggling to cover costs since the fuel shortage.
“People don’t realize how much fuel a plane takes,” he said in a phone interview with The Canadian Press.
“It’s not like filling your car with water. You’re talking literally thousands of liters to fly somewhere.”
For example, the fuel cost for a Boeing 787-9 flight from Vancouver to Hong Kong in late February was about $71,485, the professor said.
“In mid-March, it was $110,171 for that flight. It was about $40,000 for that flight. So as the price keeps going up, the airlines really don’t have a choice.”
He said more surcharges may be coming with other airlines and with WestJet’s flight consolidation, passengers can also expect to fly in fuller planes.
He said, “There’s an old joke in the airline industry, ‘How do you make a billionaire a millionaire? Buy an airline.’
“It’s a really tricky business to make money. The surcharges and consolidations are purely for survival. I wouldn’t be surprised to see some baggage fees increase with this.”
