TORONTO — Airline fuel surcharges have become yet another reality of today’s turbulent travel landscape as carriers grapple with higher fuel costs. But are the added fees causing travellers to rethink their vacation plans? 

That’s the question many in the travel industry have been asking after several carriers introduced or adjusted fuel surcharges in recent months in response to elevated aviation fuel costs linked to the conflict in the Middle East. While Porter Airlines recently reduced its temporary fuel surcharge on VIPorter reward flight redemptions from $40 to $20, and WestJet lowered the surcharge on companion voucher bookings from $60 to $40, Air Canada Vacations continues to apply its $50-per-passenger fuel surcharge, citing ongoing uncertainty in the region.

For travel advisors, the good news is that demand remains steady despite the additional fees.

“My clients have questioned the extra fees, but it seems to be just one more of those costs that we really have no control over because of the current situation in the world,” said Scott Penney, Travel Advisor with The Travel Agent Next Door in Stewiacke, NS. “Clients who are committed to travelling will pay it.”

Kim Hartlen, owner of Kim Hartlen Travel in Halifax, echoed that sentiment.

“To be honest, it was something that concerned clients a few months ago, but I’m not hearing much about it now,” she said. “Clients are still planning travel. It’s on their minds, but it’s not stopping them.”

QUESTIONS BEYOND SURCHARGES

While the additional fees have prompted questions, advisors say some travellers have been more concerned about the broader implications of geopolitical instability than the surcharge itself.

Penney said that when the fees were first introduced, several clients worried flights could be cancelled because of rumours about fuel shortages.

“That caused some stress for clients,” he said. “I had a couple of clients postpone trips to Europe because they were worried flights might be cancelled. It wasn’t really about the extra fuel fee. I think that concern has now passed and clients are continuing to book. It’s just one more cost they have to pay.”

Shalene Dudley, Owner and Lead Travel Concierge in Oakville, ON, said questions about fuel surcharges themselves have also subsided.

“The questions about fuel costs have died down from our clients booking packages,” she said. “Overall, though, flight costs have seemed to skyrocket.”

Instead of focusing on individual fees, clients are increasingly looking at the total cost of their trip.

THE BIGGER CONCERN

While fuel surcharges have attracted attention, advisors say the larger issue is the overall increase in airfare.

“We’ve seen approximately a 30% to 40% increase in flight prices compared to 2025,” said Dudley.

Those higher prices are having a greater influence on booking decisions than fuel surcharges alone.

“Many last-minute requests for flights have made consumers change their plans,” she said.

Marianne Vogel, CTC and owner of Just for You Travel & Consulting in Dundas, ON, has also noticed clients questioning airline pricing.

“When clients see a relatively low base fare but hundreds of dollars in taxes and surcharges, they naturally want to understand where those costs are coming from,” she said.

Vogel added that some clients have noticed changes in how airlines describe various fees.

“Some are asking whether what was previously listed as a carrier-imposed fee is now being identified as a fuel surcharge. They’re paying much closer attention to the breakdown of airfare than they used to.”

TRAVELLERS ARE ADJUSTING 

Despite higher costs, most advisors say travellers are adapting rather than cancelling vacations altogether.

Hartlen has actually noticed the opposite of what some might expect.

“If anything, I’ve seen clients stay longer,” she said. “Because airfare represents such a significant portion of the overall trip cost, they’re choosing to maximize the value of their vacation. Rather than shortening their trips, they’re extending their stays.”

Others are making different adjustments.

Dudley said some clients are shortening vacations or considering alternatives.

“Sun-and-sand clients have been looking at cruises or shorter stays,” she said. “We’ve also had to remind clients about the importance of booking earlier.”

Some travellers are also becoming more flexible with how they fly.

“We’ve had clients become more open to U.S. airlines with connecting flights if it helps save money,” Dudley said. “That gives them more options.”

Valerie Murphy of Direct Travel in Waterloo has noticed fewer spontaneous bookings.

“The enquiries I do have are for winter or next year,” she said. “There aren’t many last-minute enquiries right now, and a lot of clients are shocked by the prices.”

Vogel is also seeing clients become more cautious with their travel spending.

“People are really choosing carefully where they go and how much they’re willing to spend,” she said. “Some are already looking at deals for 2027, while others are choosing staycations or shorter domestic trips.”

TRANSPARENCY MATTERS

Although advisors generally understand why airlines have introduced fuel surcharges, many say transparency will be key if travellers are expected to accept the added costs.

“I understand that airlines have operating costs that fluctuate, including fuel,” said Hartlen. “The key is making sure pricing remains competitive and transparent. Clients want to know the total cost upfront so they can make informed decisions, and that’s what helps build trust.”

She added that clear pricing also benefits advisors.

“When travel is priced competitively and transparently, it makes it easier for travel advisors to sell and gives clients the confidence to book.”

Penney believes most travellers recognize airlines are facing higher operating costs.

“I understand that airlines need to recover some of those costs,” he said. “For most of my clients, even though it’s an inconvenience and another fee they have to pay, it’s relatively small, so they’ll pay it if they want to travel.”

At the same time, he’s encouraged to see some carriers already reducing the surcharge.

“It’s a positive sign,” he said. “My concern is that once these fees are introduced, they can become permanent.”

Murphy also understands the reasoning behind the fees but worries about their cumulative effect alongside broader cost-of-living pressures.

“With the cost of living being so high right now, I’m concerned people will forgo their usual travel plans just to keep up with everyday expenses,” she said. “It’s frustrating how everything seems to affect the travel industry.”

Dudley believes fuel is only one part of the affordability challenge facing travellers.

“It seems there’s more going on than just fuel surcharges based on the overall increase in pricing,” she said. “Leisure travel is slowly becoming further out of reach for many. Clients have to decide whether to increase their travel budget or simply travel less often.”

OPTIMISM DESPITE ADDED COSTS

Even with airfare remaining elevated and fuel surcharges adding another layer to travel costs, advisors say one thing hasn’t changed: Canadians still want to travel.

While clients may be booking further ahead, comparing more options and paying closer attention to airfare breakdowns, the desire to take vacations remains strong.

As airlines begin reducing some temporary surcharges, advisors hope the trend continues. But regardless of what happens next, they expect travellers will continue weighing value over individual line items.

For now, fuel surcharges appear to be more of an irritation than a deterrent – another expense to factor into the vacation budget rather than a reason to stay home.

This article originally appears in the July 9 issue of Travelweek. To read the issue, click here.