Air Canada Cancels South Carolina Flights and Implements New Phone Booking Fee

Air Canada has confirmed that it will permanently discontinue its seasonal route between Toronto Pearson International Airport and Charleston International Airport, effectively exiting the South Carolina market. The route, which first launched in 2001 and returned for the summer of 2024 after being suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic, served as a direct connection for both business travelers and tourists. According to aviation website analyses, departures and available seats plummeted following cross-border travel declines and recent political shifts. An Air Canada representative noted that the airline's flight network is ultimately determined by ticket purchases.

The suspension of the South Carolina route reflects broader downward trends in cross-border travel between Canada and the United States. Monthly data published by the Canadian government's statistics agency indicates that the number of Canadian trips to the U.S. in September 2026 dropped by 29 percent compared to two years prior. Car border crossings fell by 31 percent, while flights experienced a 19 percent decrease. Airlines have responded to this weaker demand by cutting routes to smaller cities across the U.S. that no longer yield sufficient sold seats.

In addition to adjusting its flight network, Air Canada has implemented a new fee for customers booking reservations over the phone. The airline now charges a non-refundable fee of $30 per ticket for reservations made with a live person, meaning a pair of seats booked via phone will cost an extra $60. The fee remains applicable even if the underlying ticket is later canceled. The carrier stated that the policy is designed to encourage customers to utilize its official website or mobile application for travel planning.

Despite the new telephone booking fee, the airline has established specific exemptions for certain passengers. Travelers requiring special assistance, such as wheelchair services, are exempt from the charge. Additionally, customers calling for support with existing reservations or attempting to book new flights due to weather-related delays or itinerary cancellations will not incur the fee.

Meanwhile, operations at other airports have brought additional attention to Air Canada flights. At St. Louis Lambert International Airport, an Air Canada Jazz flight scheduled for takeoff was abruptly instructed to halt just seconds before a Southwest Airlines jet touched down on the same runway. Air traffic controllers initially cleared the Southwest flight to land and subsequently cleared the Air Canada Jazz flight for takeoff before quickly ordering the pilot to hold position. The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed that the aircraft stopped short of the runway and that the required separation between the two planes was successfully maintained throughout the incident, with no injuries reported.

The close call in St. Louis coincides with an increasing national focus on airfield safety and infrastructure. Federal safety reports indicate that while total U.S. runway incursions saw a slight dip, severe Category A and B incidents involving narrowly avoided collisions jumped significantly. Lawmakers and transportation officials have continued discussions regarding funding for modernized air traffic control systems and airport infrastructure upgrades nationwide.

Air Canada's recent network reductions and policy updates highlight a period of transition for the carrier as it navigates shifting travel patterns, digital service incentives, and heightened scrutiny surrounding aviation safety across North America.