WestJet is implementing a new $60 fee on companion voucher bookings due to the escalating fuel prices. The airline’s companion voucher program is a perk for WestJet RBC Mastercard holders, allowing them to bring a second passenger on a reduced fare round trip.
The additional charge is considered temporary and will be effective starting Wednesday, April 8. Bookings made before this date will not be subject to the fee. WestJet stated that the surcharge will continue until jet fuel prices return to normal levels, which is attributed to the ongoing Middle East conflict.
According to a WestJet spokesperson, the surcharge aims to offset the impact of rising fuel prices, as fuel is the primary cost contributor for airlines. The spokesperson mentioned that while airfares can be adjusted, the companion voucher system does not offer the same flexibility.
In response to higher fuel costs, WestJet is making adjustments to its flight schedule by consolidating flights on less popular routes and modifying the travel period for seasonal services. The airline has reduced capacity by around one percent in April and three percent in May. Affected passengers have been provided with alternative travel options on the same day as their original departure.
Wayne Smith, a hospitality and tourism professor at Toronto Metropolitan University, highlighted the challenges faced by Canadian airlines, including WestJet, in managing costs amid the fuel shortage. He emphasized the significant fuel consumption of planes, citing a substantial increase in fuel costs for specific flights.
Smith suggested that more surcharges could be implemented by other airlines, and with flight consolidations by WestJet, passengers may experience fuller flights. He noted that the airline industry is notoriously difficult for profitability, leading to measures like surcharges and consolidations as survival strategies.
Overall, the airline industry is adapting to the current fuel price surge, with airlines like WestJet taking steps to manage the financial impact while ensuring operational efficiency and passenger satisfaction.