Air Canada's quarterly fuel bill jumps by 75%, a $906-million increase

Air Canada’s fuel bill surged in the third quarter of 2026, rising by about 75 percent, according to Daily Hive. The airline attributed the jump primarily to higher fuel prices, which it said were the main driver behind the increased quarterly cost. The update provided by Air Canada centers on the financial impact of fuel expenses, and does not include specifics about routes, aircraft, or other operational factors.

The article notes that management expects the higher fuel costs to persist through the remainder of 2026, signaling an ongoing financial pressure linked to fuel pricing. There is no additional detail in the Daily Hive report about mitigation strategies, hedging, or changes to scheduling or fleet utilization in response to the fuel expense increase.

A separate piece from CTech adds a related but distinct development tied to Air Canada’s network: the carrier will resume direct flights between Toronto and Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport at the end of November, offering four weekly round trips. This restart follows a suspension that began in March due to the war with Iran, and the restart date is earlier than initially announced, with the plan previously pointing to January 17, 2027.

According to CTech, the December 2026 Tel Aviv–Toronto economy-class round-trip fare is averaging about $1,155, roughly 30 percent higher than December 2025 levels, a figure provided by lastminute.co.il. The report also notes that connecting itineraries remain available and may be cheaper, with some layovers reducing the fare by up to 16 percent versus the direct option. Business-class fares for Canada can be significantly higher, with potential savings of up to around $2,900 when choosing a connecting flight.

CTech’s analysis further indicates that Air Canada continues to compete on related routes with other carriers, including British Airways and Lufthansa, which offer lower average fares for similar itineraries. Despite this competition, Air Canada remains the sole direct option for the Tel Aviv–Toronto route, according to the source data quoted in the CTech piece.

Taken together, the two sources show a mixed picture: Air Canada facing a substantial increase in fuel-related costs in Q3 2026, while also pursuing a network adjustment that includes a resumed direct service between Toronto and Tel Aviv, with pricing dynamics influenced by route-specific factors and competitive options. The Daily Hive report does not elaborate on how the fuel-cost increase may affect pricing or capacity decisions, whereas the CTech coverage emphasizes the ongoing pricing landscape and the strategic restart of a previously suspended route.

There is no indication in the provided material of incidents, accidents, or safety events related to Air Canada. The reports focus on the financial impact of fuel costs and the schedule restart of a specific international route, plus fare comparisons and competitive positioning. No weather-related factors, regulatory actions, or operational disruptions beyond the Tel Aviv service suspension and startup are described.

Overall, the reporting captures two threads: a financial update highlighting a sizable rise in fuel expenses for Air Canada in the third quarter of 2026, and a network development signaling the return of direct Tel Aviv–Toronto flights at quarter-end, with pricing data that reflects broader market dynamics in December 2026. The sources differ on scope but collectively present a picture of higher operating costs alongside strategic network moves and price considerations for international routes.