The Canada Transport Agency, a quasi-judicial tribunal and regulatory body tasked with enforcing air passenger rights and compensation regulations, announced a proposed amendment Comply with Air Passenger Protection Regulations.
If adopted, the amendments would make airlines more liable for travel interruptions caused by “exceptional circumstances” such as safety threats, illegal activity, environmental disasters or disruptive passenger behavior. Become. In such cases, even if the airline takes all reasonable steps, disruption of operations is unavoidable.
Depending on the circumstances, travelers may be entitled to various forms of compensation from the airline, including meals and lodging.
If a flight is canceled or delayed for at least three hours, or if a passenger is removed from the flight, you will have the option of receiving a refund rather than rebooking. If passengers choose a refund, airlines will have to make the payment within 15 days, half of the current 30 days.
Under the proposed amendments, airlines would be required to provide meals to passengers whose flights are delayed for more than two hours, and accommodation if their flights are delayed overnight.
The amendments also aim to improve travel with young children.
Under the new rules, children under the age of 14 will be required to sit next to a parent or guardian on a plane without additional charge. Additionally, if a seat is not available at the time of booking, it is the airline’s responsibility to notify the passenger and take all steps possible to find an adjacent seat.
Geoff Morrison, president and CEO of the Canadian Aviation Council, which represents Canada’s largest airlines, expressed concern about the proposed amendments.
He said in a statement that the proposed rules are “costly, burdensome and do not take into account the complex operating realities of airlines. If adopted, they will impact affordability and connectivity for Canadians.” will be given.”
In June 2023, Parliament passed amendments to the Canada Transport Act that require updates to the Air Passenger Protection Regulations. The proposed changes were drafted after consultation with the Minister for Transport and approved by the Finance Committee.
“The proposed amendments will eliminate the gray area and ambiguity around when passengers are liable for compensation and ensure a faster resolution for passengers,” Transport Minister Anita Anand said in a statement.
A 75-day consultation period to consider the amendments runs until March 6.
