After stormy conditions left thousands of passengers stranded in Mexico this week, the Department of Transportation said it would continue to ‘monitor the situation’, calling the situation some have found themselves in during the week ‘unacceptable’. holidays.
In an email statement sent to CTV News, a spokesperson said: “Transport Canada [is] liaising with airlines and airports to ensure they have what they need to keep passengers safe.
They added that “the safety of passengers and crew is our top priority”.
Sunwing Vacations Inc. issued numerous flight cancellations due to winter storms, leading to a chain reaction of displaced crews and planes. Other airlines have experienced similar disruptions due to harsh flying conditions, but Sunwing’s vacation destinations have left many travelers stranded overseas.
Additionally, many passengers have spoken out against the lack of communication from the airline as they await news of when they can return home.
In the email, the spokesperson also said that “the situation with Sunwing Airlines is unacceptable, as Canadians rightly expect their airlines to keep them informed and manage disruptions accordingly.”
“We expect all airlines to communicate with passengers and keep them informed of delays or cancellations.”
As of September 8, new regulations are in effect under the Air Passenger Protection Regulations, the spokesperson said. These regulations apply to flights delayed or canceled for reasons beyond the control of the air carrier, including major weather events and dangerous flight conditions.
“Canadians can file a complaint with the Canadian Transportation Agency. Our government will continue to ensure that these rights are protected,” the email reads.
“Transport Canada will continue to work with all airports to do everything in its power to ensure Canadians can travel safely this holiday season. We encourage passengers to stay informed of the situation by following the latest communications from the airport when normal operations resume. Canadians can rest assured that we are doing everything we can to support them during this difficult time. »
The ministry’s statement comes days after Federal Transport Minister Omar Alghabra address Via Rail for leaving passengers stranded overnight on stranded trains following the recent winter storm.
“The current situation with @VIA_Rail is unacceptable and we are in contact with them to resolve any issues in a safe and efficient manner,” Alghabra said in a statement on Twitter on Saturday. “The unprecedented weather has caused delays to our transportation system and the safety of passengers and crew is our top priority.”
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