-- U.S. airlines are starting to curtail off-peak capacity, but Canadian scheduling appears largely intact for now, writes Stifel Canada analyst Daryl Young.
In a note, Young says Canadian airlines are still planning strong growth through peak summer. Scheduled capacity increases in the second quarter are led by the Pacific (+9.0%) and Atlantic (+4.7%), partially offset by ongoing weakness in U.S. Transborder (-10.1%).
Air Canada (AC.TO) (+2.4%) and Porter (+8.6%) have maintained growth in the second quarter and onward, but WestJet (-1.9%) and Flair (-2.9%) have curtailed capacity, he points out.
"To date, indications are that demand has remained healthy and is effectively absorbing fuel price surcharges/higher airfares . . ., but the longer fuel prices remain elevated the greater the potential for demand destruction."
Stifel Canada has a buy rating and $28.00 price target on Air Canada.
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