Toronto airline cut fuel surcharge only to bring it back weeks later

After briefly reducing its surcharge on some bookings, Porter Airlines has increased it again just weeks later.

In March, Porter Airlines announced that it was implementing a $40 temporary fuel surcharge as a result of global aviation fuel prices due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, with the changes only applying to VIPorter reward flight redemptions.

Then in June, Canada's third-largest airline sent an email to customers, stating that it was cutting the surcharge by half to $20. But those changes didn't last long.

On July 11, Iran announced that the Strait of Hormuz was closed once again after being hit with multiple strikes by the United States, reports Al Jazeera.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) stated that as of the week of July 17, jet fuel prices have risen 17.6 per cent compared to the week before.

As a result, on Friday, Porter emailed customers stating that it’s once again increasing the fuel surcharge for VIPorter reward flight redemptions to $40.

"We truly hoped our next update would confirm that full removal," reads the email.

"However, the global oil market has since experienced unexpected and sharp price increases. To ensure we can continue offering the full value of your VIPorter points during this period of rising jet fuel prices, we must temporarily readjust the surcharge to $40."

This means that customers booking trips using VIPorter rewards must pay the $40 surcharge as of July 17. The surcharge rate does not apply to regular bookings made without redeeming points.

The airline also stated that it was "not the direction" it wanted to take.

"While these recent market shifts have stalled our progress in removing the surcharge, our commitment remains unchanged," reads the statement. "We plan to remove it entirely when market conditions allow."