Air Canada on Friday announced that it is cancelling flights on six of its routes, pointing to the sharp rise in the cost of jet fuel amid the Iran war.

"Jet fuel prices have doubled since the start of the Iran conflict, affecting some lower profitability routes and flights which now are no longer economically feasible," the airline said in a statement.

Within Canada, flights between Alberta's Fort McMurray and British Columbia's Vancouver will stop on May 28, and the Northwest Territories' Yellowknife to Toronto route will end on Aug. 30. Both are being cut permanently.

Flights between New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport and both Toronto and Montreal will be paused from June 1, and are expected to restart on Oct. 25.

Flights between Salt Lake City and Toronto will also be paused from June 30, with a return planned for some time in 2027.

A brand new route between Guadalajara, Mexico, and Montreal that had been planned will also no longer go ahead.

Air Canada said passengers booked on affected flights will be contacted directly and given other travel options.

Energy prices have surged and shortages have emerged in several fuel types as the Iran war, which started on Feb. 28, triggered the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and attacks on energy facilities. A two-week ceasefire took effect on April 8 and efforts for permanent peace are underway.

Rising fuel costs and supply strains disrupted global air travel, causing flight disruptions and cancellations across the region and beyond. (AA)

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