Key Points

• Air Canada and WestJet are increasing flights from London this summer, as London International Airport sees an opportunity in stronger local demand.
• The summer schedule from London starts on May 1 and runs until the end of October.
• Scott McFadzean, chief executive of London International Airport, said the airport benefits from a large catchment area of about 2.5 million people within a 2.5-hour drive.
• McFadzean said flights from London are regularly more than 90 per cent occupied, which he believes is helping drive airline interest.
• Air Canada, WestJet and Air Transat have announced cancellations in other markets as rising fuel costs squeeze airline operations.
• McFadzean said the route growth reflects confidence that oil prices will stabilise and travel demand will remain strong.
• WestJet and Sunwing winter services to Punta Cana and Cancun ended on April 7 and April 9 respectively.
• Air Canada and WestJet did not respond to requests for comment in the reporting cited.

Why are airlines adding more London flights in 2026?

London (Britain Today News) April 22, 2026 – Air Canada and WestJet are increasing summer flights from London, Ontario, even as the aviation sector cuts services in other cities under pressure from higher fuel prices and shifting route economics.

As reported by the unnamed reporter in the source material, London International Airport chief executive Scott McFadzean said the airlines “see opportunity in the London market” because of the area’s large population base and the seasonal increase in Canadian travel demand. He added that the airport’s reach extends to about 2.5 million people within a 2.5-hour drive, making London a practical option for a wider region.

McFadzean said the new summer schedule begins on May 1 and continues until the end of October. He also said the airport is not claiming to be insulated from the broader pressures affecting aviation, but believes London’s strong passenger numbers make the market attractive enough for airlines to expand capacity.

What did Scott McFadzean say about demand?

McFadzean told the source that flights from London are regularly more than 90 per cent occupied, which suggests there is already strong demand for the route network. He said airlines are effectively responding to that demand rather than taking a speculative risk in a weak market.

His comments point to a wider industry pattern: while some carriers are trimming schedules elsewhere because higher fuel costs are squeezing margins, London is seeing added service because airlines believe the market can fill seats. McFadzean said most people hope the fuel crisis will be short-lived and that prices will eventually correct. He also said airlines are betting that oil will stabilise and travellers will continue flying through the summer.

How are fuel prices affecting airlines?

The source says service reductions in other markets have come as Air Canada, WestJet and Air Transat announced cancellations amid rising fuel costs. It links the pressure on fuel supplies to the wider geopolitical impact of the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran, which has affected oil supplies and pushed up prices.

That background helps explain why route planning is changing across Canada. Carriers are adjusting capacity where profitability looks weaker, while maintaining or growing service where passenger demand is strong enough to support flights. London appears to fall into the second category, with airlines seeing room to expand despite industry headwinds.

What happened to WestJet winter routes?

WestJet and Sunwing ended their winter services to Punta Cana and Cancun on April 7 and April 9 respectively. Those route endings mark the seasonal shift that often occurs as airlines move aircraft from winter leisure destinations to summer domestic and transborder schedules.

In practical terms, the end of those winter services frees up capacity that can be redirected into markets such as London. The timing also fits the summer schedule window beginning on May 1, meaning passengers can expect stronger domestic and leisure connectivity through the warm-weather travel season.

Why is London attractive to airlines?

London’s main advantage is geography and population reach. McFadzean said the airport draws from a large regional base, which gives airlines access to a sizeable pool of travellers without relying solely on the city itself.

High load factors are another important signal. When flights are consistently fuller than 90 per cent, it suggests that airlines can add seats without immediately weakening pricing power. That makes London more appealing at a time when carriers are watching costs closely and prioritising routes that can perform reliably.

The airport’s summer expansion also reflects broader travel behaviour in Canada. Demand typically rises in the summer months as families travel, people take holidays, and leisure routes become more profitable. Airlines appear to be positioning London as a market that can absorb additional service during that period.

What does this mean for passengers?

For travellers in and around London, the expanded schedule should mean more choice and greater convenience. More flights can improve availability, reduce pressure on peak dates, and potentially make it easier to find preferred departure times.

The change may also strengthen London’s role as a regional airport for southwestern Ontario. If airlines continue to see healthy occupancy, London could benefit from more stable service patterns in future seasons as well. However, the broader fuel-cost environment means airline decisions can still shift quickly if market conditions worsen.

What should travellers watch next?

Passengers will likely want to monitor fare levels, destination choices and whether the added summer capacity remains in place through the season. The schedule runs through the end of October, so the coming months will show whether demand stays strong enough to justify the expansion.

The key question is whether airlines view London as a long-term growth market or mainly a strong seasonal performer. For now, the available reporting suggests that London’s combination of population reach, full flights and summer demand has convinced Air Canada and WestJet to add service even while other airports face cuts.