Rising political tensions and anti-Canada rhetoric from U.S. President Donald Trump are fueling a noticeable decline in Canadian travel to the U.S., with airlines responding by scaling back cross-border routes in favor of domestic options. Canadian carriers such as Air Canada, Flair Airlines, and WestJet are pivoting toward bolstering in-country travel while reducing flights to U.S. leisure hubs like Florida, Las Vegas, and Arizona.
Recent data supports this trend: Vehicle crossings from B.C. into Washington state dropped 44% in March compared to the same month in 2024. Air travel from Canada to the U.S. has also seen sharp declines, with forward bookings down over 70% from April through July. Statistics Canada reported a 13.1% drop in February for Canadians returning from the U.S. by air, and a 23% decrease by car.
Airlines are extending seasonal domestic routes and adding new international destinations outside the U.S. Flair Airlines, for example, has increased frequencies on Canadian routes and dropped its Vancouver–Palm Springs flight. WestJet suspended several U.S. routes and instead added connections to Europe and Mexico.
Tourism leaders are calling on the federal government to investigate Canada’s aviation infrastructure. Proposals include subsidizing air travel to smaller centers and restoring intercity bus service, particularly since Greyhound’s 2021 departure. Advocates argue that high airport rents and limited operational funding are hampering regional connectivity and national unity.
Source: Swifteradio.com
