Canada-US Air Traffic Drops Over 70% Amid Trump's Tariff War
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney condemned the latest round of US tariffs, calling them a direct attack on Canadian workers.
The number of air passengers travelling between Canada and the United States has fallen sharply, with new data pointing to a staggering decline of more than 70% amid ongoing trade tensions fuelled by US President Donald Trump’s tariff war.
According to aviation analytics firm OAG, transborder flight bookings between the two countries have seen a drastic downturn, particularly between July and August, historically the busiest travel months of the year. Data comparing ticket reservations from March 2024 to March 2025 shows that bookings for the April-to-September period dropped between 71-76% compared to the previous year.
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The sharp decline appears to be reshaping the air travel landscape, with airlines cutting more than 3,20,000 seats on Canada-US routes by the end of October. Industry experts suggest these reductions reflect a growing reluctance among Canadian travellers to book flights south of the border, likely driven by uncertainty over escalating tariffs and shifting political tensions.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney condemned the latest round of US tariffs, calling them a direct attack on Canadian workers. His remarks underscore the broader economic strain between the two nations, a friction that seems to be manifesting in more than just trade figures.
Beyond economic concerns, some Canadians are expressing discomfort about traveling to the US, particularly after a series of high-profile incidents involving the arrest of foreign nationals by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). With tensions running high and transborder travel dwindling, airlines may soon be forced to reconsider their long-term strategies for routes between Canada and its largest trading partner.
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