OTTAWA: Experts note that the launch of new international routes from Ottawa International Airport to major destinations like London signals a robust rebound and growth in the regional travel market. Air Transat kicked off the expansion by launching its inaugural direct flight from Ottawa to London Gatwick Airport. This marks the second direct London route established out of the nation’s capital, following Air Canada’s resumption of its flights to London Heathrow. Complementing this European expansion, Porter Airlines has also expanded its footprint by rolling out new sunny-destination routes from Ottawa to Miami, Phoenix, and Costa Rica.
This wave of expansion marks a significant turnaround from the pandemic, when Ottawa lost nearly all of its direct international connections. The recovery began in earnest when Air France introduced a direct route to Paris, anchoring the airport’s transatlantic revival. According to the airport authority’s latest annual report, international passenger traffic has surged by 12 percent. Travelers have expressed immense relief over the new options, noting that the ability to fly directly to Europe from Ottawa saves significant time and hassle compared to booking multi-leg itineraries with layovers in other hub cities.
However, despite climbing passenger volumes, airlines are facing severe headwinds from skyrocketing fuel prices. Air Transat acknowledged that high volatility in the global fuel market is straining operations. Aviation experts attribute the surge in global jet fuel prices to the prolonged closure of the strategic Strait of Hormuz, an ongoing geopolitical bottleneck that has driven up crude prices worldwide. Analysts warn that these elevated energy costs are heavily impacting corporate budgets and daily operating expenditures, presenting a key financial challenge for airlines amid an otherwise thriving travel season.
