Genuine protection for airline passengers
Are you familiar with the Air Passenger Protection Regulations under the Canada Transportation Act? Adopted in 2019 after years of claims and complaints, this bill is definitely a step in the right direction for Canadian travellers who should be able to get adequate compensation for inconveniences like flight delays or cancellations, boarding denials, lost or damaged baggage, seating for children under 14. Such benefits were inspired by legislation already in place in Europe and the United States.
Four years and a pandemic later, we have witnessed a lacklustre record. This legislation is flawed and far too complicated. Case in point: The ambiguities are so numerous that by the start of summer, more than 45,000 complaints relating to air travel were pending at the Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA), resulting in long delays and frustrated travellers.
Proposed changes to bolster air-passenger rights
Spurred on by the CAA’s repeated recommendations, we applaud the Federal Government’s move to simplify current legislation by placing the onus of proof squarely on airline companies. Thus, loopholes that benefited the carriers and left passengers con fused and without compensation – or even paying more – may well become a thing of the past.
The CTA seems intent on forcing carriers to clearly state reasons for flight disruptions and closing the loophole that allows them to avoid compensation except in well defined circumstances. Airliners must provide comprehensive information on clear and easy-to-understand language.
To conclude, the CTA must play its role and speed up the complaints process. For a true culture of air-passenger rights protection to emerge in Canada, it’s important that airlines be held fully accountable and that passenger rights be thoroughly exercised. Everyone will benefit in the process. By prioritizing passengers, carriers will have a chance to stand out among their competitors and regulators will acquire efficiency and credibility.
No concrete action, no salvation
The CAA and its eight regional chapters, which include CAA-Quebec, have been advocating for air-passenger rights for years, especially to compensate for the inconvenience of travel disruptions. We intend to spotlight the revised regulations and follow their implementation. For those of us at CAA-Quebec, the proposed reform is encouraging and clearly signals a firm intention to strengthen the rights of Canadian air passengers.