Allison Lampert

MONTREAL, (Reuters) – Canadian airlines are experiencing a rebound in spring travel following a slump caused by the Omicron coronavirus variant. Canada’s biggest airport is bracing itself for the busiest day of travel since the onset the pandemic.

However, just like COVID-19 is showing signs of decline, the rising oil prices as a result of the Russian-Ukraine crise and the high regulatory costs cast shadows before the summer vacation season.

Due to stricter virus restrictions, Canadian air traffic is experiencing slower recovery than that in the United States.

According to Cirium data, the March flight to certain sundestinations rebounded after Omicron lifted winter travel rules.

On Wednesday, Toronto Pearson International Airport stated that it expects March 11th to be its busiest day of travel since the outbreak of the pandemic. It anticipates about 85,000 people arriving or departing in advance of spring break next week, which will take place in Canada’s largest province, Ontario.

Hugh Pouliot of Canada Union of Public Employees (CUPE), a representative of them, explained that the country’s biggest carriers, Air Canada, and WestJet Airlines privately owned are recalling flight attendants and hiring new ones.

Westjet “hires like crazy right now.”

Denise Kenny from WestJet stated that she has seen an increase in the demand for short-term (spring break), and long-term travel.

She said that WestJet has 350 daily flights, while there were more than 700 before the pandemic.

Suzanne Acton Gervais (interim president of NACC), Canada’s largest carrier group, stated that even with this increase in activity we will not recover to 2019.

Canadian and U.S. airlines both called for the end of testing for international travelers, as these countries face rising oil prices.

Acton Gervais said that Canada should end all testing by April 1st.

According to the U.S. trade association Airlines for America, oil prices have been rising steadily since last year. This is because some airlines are cutting more profitable routes.

Air Canada, U.S. Legacy Carriers have stated they have no current plans to hedge.

Kenny, WestJet’s spokesperson said that additional costs have risen in the wake of the pandemic. He stated that 24% from every 100 C$ spent on Canadian airfare has gone to fees.

Kenny stated that WestJet had not raised fares or made any “deliberate changes to our systems” in reaction to rising fuel prices.

Air Canada stated that airline prices are based on a variety of factors, including demand and competition.