Canadian Airline Moving Flights To Buffalo Airport

A Canadian airline is moving some of its flights to Buffalo in a move to reduce the costs.

The Toronto Star newspaper reported that Canadian company Sunwing Airlines will begin to offer diret flights out of Buffalo Niagara International Airport and leave for Cancun, Mexico and Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. 

The main reason for the move is a recent hike in aviation fuel taxes recently passed by the province of Ontario.  As a result of the hike, the Ontario government expects to increase revenue generated from aviation fuel taxes from $65 million to $130 million.  

The airline, however, feels that it cannot absorb the increase while remaining competitive.  This new reality prompted the move to Buffalo.  

Just how significant will the savings be for passengers? The Toronto Star did the legwork for us:

A check of vacation websites found a round-trip Sunwing trip from Buffalo to Cancun, departing Jan. 31 and returning Feb. 7, advertised at $419 (U.S.) plus $118 (U.S.) in taxes and fees, for a total of $537 (U.S.).

A similar Sunwing trip, but from Toronto to Cancun, departing and returning on the same days, has a base fare of $445 plus $392 in taxes and fees for a total of $837.

On a trip during March Break, a Sunwing flight to Punta Cana, departing from Buffalo on March 14, returning a week later, is listed at $629 (U.S.) plus $147 (U.S.) in taxes and fees, for a total of $776 (U.S.)

A similar flight, departing on the same days, but from Toronto, is listed at $1,105 plus $425 in taxes, fees and charge, for a total of $1,530.

Looks like Canada's loss is Buffalo's gain.