Canada's second-largest airline is trimming its map in a big way. WestJet has ended service to 13 international destinations in 2026, from three European cities to seven Cuban airports, plus one island each in Colombia, Hawaii and Mexico. Two small Alberta airports, Lethbridge and Medicine Hat, lost their WestJet Encore service in June too.
The European pull-out covers Copenhagen, Glasgow and Madrid, all ending in September 2026. Copenhagen and Madrid were served from Halifax, and both had only launched that May. Glasgow's story is especially stop-start: WestJet first flew there in 2015 via Halifax, ran a short-lived nonstop from Toronto in 2022, came back again in May 2026 — and is now leaving after a single season. The airline blames higher fuel prices in part, though weak performance was likely the underlying issue. Travellers heading to Scotland aren't stranded, though: WestJet still serves Edinburgh, roughly an hour from Glasgow.
The Caribbean and Latin America cuts are the bigger news for sun-seekers. Seven of the 13 dropped destinations are in Cuba — Cayo Coco, Cienfuegos, Cayo Largo, Havana, Holguín, Santa Clara and Varadero — meaning WestJet has left the country entirely by February 2026. It's not alone: Air Canada and Air Transat have also suspended Cuba flights after well-publicised power outages, fuel shortages, food scarcity and transport problems on the island. Cuba has long been a staple of Canadian package holidays, and flights will eventually return, but nobody is saying when.
The ripple effect is already visible. Canadian travellers who'd normally book Varadero or Cayo Coco are pivoting to the Dominican Republic and Mexico, where combined capacity from Canada in 2026 is the highest ever recorded, according to Cirium Diio data. WestJet has also dropped San Andrés Island in Colombia (from Montréal), Lihue in Kauai, Hawaii (from Vancouver, served since 2009) and Guadalajara.
The Guadalajara route deserves a mention as a genuine loss. Launched in December 2025, it was the first-ever nonstop from Alberta to Mexico's second-largest city. It began with twice-weekly service on a 174-seat 737-800, faded to Sundays only, and the final flight is set for 18 October 2026. Nothing is bookable beyond that date.
If you had your eye on any of these routes, the takeaway is simple: book elsewhere or book fast. Cuba-bound holidaymakers should watch for announcements from other carriers or consider the Dominican Republic and Mexico as short-term substitutes, where competition is driving plenty of capacity. For Glasgow, Madrid or Copenhagen, connecting via other airlines — or Edinburgh, in Scotland's case — remains straightforward.
