Canadian Air Travel To US Plummets, Florida Struggling With Decreased Visitor Numbers And Reduced Flights Amid Ongoing Trade Issues

Published on April 3, 2025

Canadian air travel to the United States is experiencing a significant decline this spring, with leisure destinations, particularly Florida, bearing the brunt of the downturn. Political tensions between the two countries, fueled by tariffs and controversial remarks, have led to a sharp decrease in Canadian visits, with a 13 percent drop in air travel and a 23 percent reduction in land border crossings. Florida has seen the steepest reductions in flight capacity, while business hubs like Hawaii and major cities such as Newark and San Francisco have fared better. Despite these declines, the full impact on tourism businesses in Florida—where Canadian visitors traditionally make up a substantial portion of the market—is even more severe, with some sectors reporting revenue losses closer to 30 percent. Experts predict that recovery won’t be realized until at least 2026, highlighting the long-term effects of these strained relations.

As spring arrives, Canadian travelers are reducing their visits to the United States, with leisure destinations seeing the most significant declines. Trade tensions between the two countries have led to noticeable changes in travel habits, especially in regions that typically attract a large number of Canadian tourists.

The deteriorating relationship between the United States and Canada was accelerated by tariffs and controversial remarks regarding Canadian land. These tensions have deeply impacted perceptions, with surveys now revealing that Canadians are increasingly wary of traveling to the U.S.

In February, Canadian air travel to the United States dropped by 13 percent, while land border crossings saw a 23 percent decline.

Florida, in particular, has been hit the hardest, showing the steepest drop in Canadian airline capacity. For instance, Fort Myers (RSW) has experienced a 30 percent decrease in scheduled flights, and Palm Beach (PBI) faces an even larger 43 percent reduction. These figures reflect April projections for Canadian airline services to U.S. destinations.

On the other hand, Hawaii and key business hubs have maintained more stability. Hawaii has not seen any reduction in its Canadian flight services, with routes to Honolulu (HNL), Lihue (LIH), Kona (KOA), and Kahului (OGG) remaining unchanged. The long travel distance to Hawaii seems to discourage Canadians from altering their plans at the last minute.

Business destinations have weathered the decline in travelers more successfully than leisure spots. Newark (EWR) has only seen a modest 7 percent decrease in capacity, while San Francisco (SFO) and Boston (BOS) have seen little to no change. However, Seattle (SEA) and Detroit (DTW) have faced more significant reductions, experiencing double-digit drops in Canadian flight capacity.

The drop in airline seat capacity likely understates the full extent of the reduction in Canadian visitors to the U.S. Many tourism-dependent businesses in Florida—such as hotels, restaurants, and attractions—are reporting declines closer to 30 percent, much higher than the 10 percent indicated by airline schedules.

These businesses, which have long relied on Canadian tourists escaping the cold weather, are now experiencing substantial losses during the peak travel season.

Canadian travel to the U.S. typically peaks in the winter and spring, with fewer Canadians heading south during the summer months as they opt for domestic or European destinations. Even if trade relations improve soon, experts suggest that a full recovery for U.S. tourism may not happen until 2026.

Canadian air travel to the United States is sharply declining this spring, with Florida experiencing the most significant losses in flight capacity and tourism revenue due to ongoing political tensions. Recovery is not expected until at least 2026.

This timeline highlights the long-lasting nature of the effects of trade tensions. The true impact will be evident next winter when Canadians again decide where to spend their vacations. For U.S. regions heavily dependent on Canadian tourism, particularly in Florida, this decline is not just a temporary setback but a long-term challenge that will require strategic adjustments in tourism marketing and offerings.