Canadian Airlines Shift Focus to Latin America for 2025 Winter

Canadian Airlines Shift Focus to Latin America for 2025 Winter

Since early 2025, Canadian airlines have experienced a decline in leisure travel demand to the United States. This trend is driven by changing trade policies and economic uncertainties under the current U.S. administration. In response, carriers are redirecting their capacities toward Latin America and the Caribbean, with significant expansions expected during the Northern Hemisphere winter season, which begins on October 26 according to IATA scheduling.

The four major Canadian carriers—Air Canada, WestJet, Porter Airlines, and Air Transat—are collectively increasing seat capacity to Latin America by 36% this winter while reducing over 1,500 flights to the U.S.

Major Cuts to U.S. Routes by Canadian Airlines

Among the airlines, WestJet has implemented some of the most substantial reductions to its U.S. network. Compared to last winter, WestJet has decreased its operations by about 13.3% in flights and 16.3% in seat capacity. For instance, the Edmonton–Las Vegas route has lost over one-third of its capacity, while Edmonton–Atlanta has reduced services by approximately 61 flights, offering only 87 flights this winter.

Additionally, WestJet has decreased frequencies to Los Angeles, Phoenix, and Minneapolis, while routes from Winnipeg to various U.S. destinations have also been cut or discontinued.

Reductions by Air Canada

Air Canada has similarly scaled back its U.S. services, cutting several secondary routes entirely. The Toronto–Jacksonville route has been dropped, with Montreal losing connections to Detroit and Minneapolis. Toronto–Indianapolis and Vancouver–Tampa routes have also been withdrawn. On other transborder services, Air Canada has adjusted capacity by using smaller aircraft or reducing flights.

Canadian Carriers Expand in Latin Markets

Canadian airlines are reallocating capacity to Latin America and the Caribbean, adding over 4,000 flights this winter. Air Canada, in particular, has introduced 13 new routes and expanded destinations, growing its seat capacity by 16% with more than 80,000 weekly seats across 55 daily flights. New routes include cities such as Santiago, Pointe-à-Pitre, Fort-de-France, Nassau, and more.

WestJet is similarly increasing its presence in Latin America, predicting a 6% rise in seat capacity, focusing on markets like Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, and Mexico.

Air Canada’s New Winter Routes

Porter Airlines’ Latin America Debut

This winter marks Porter Airlines’ first foray into Latin America and the Caribbean. The carrier will operate from Toronto Pearson, Ottawa, and Hamilton to destinations like Cancun, Puerto Vallarta, and others, using its Embraer 195-E2 aircraft.

Porter will offer unique routes, being the only airline operating from Ottawa to Grand Cayman and Liberia, as well as Hamilton to Puerto Vallarta and Nassau. Air Transat also expands its Latin American reach with new routes from Toronto and Montreal.