Posted July 11, 2023 12:28 PM ET
GATINEAU, QUE. – The Canadian Transportation Agency proposes amendments to the Passenger Rights Charter.
The reforms come after the Liberal government passed legislation last month to increase penalties for airlines, strengthen the grievance mechanism and close flight disruption loopholes that have allowed airlines to avoid compensating travelers.
The amendments to the Air Passenger Protection Regulation specify the circumstances in which an airline does not have to compensate its customers and narrow the scope so that most technical problems no longer offer airlines a way out.
The new rules would also allow customers to request a refund if the government increases risk levels for travel to certain countries or if a flight disruption prevents them from completing their trip within a reasonable time – well below the current 48-hour threshold.
The Transport Authority is launching public consultations on the planned revision today.
The backlog of complaints with the regulator is now over 52,000, which is about three times the previous year’s figure and takes an average of two years per case.
This report from The Canadian Press was first published on July 11, 2023.
“Evil alcohol lover. Twitter junkie. Future teen idol. Reader. Food aficionado. Introvert. Coffee evangelist. Typical bacon enthusiast.”