Federal government unveils passenger bill of rights
Posted December 17, 2018 9:15 am.
Last Updated December 17, 2018 8:58 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
The federal government has unveiled the long-awaited passenger bill of rights for air travel, complete with financial compensation for passengers in certain situations.
The regulations were created to establish airlines’ minimum obligation toward passengers — including standards of treatment for flights to, from and within Canada.
For three months, the Canadian Transportation Agency consulted with the public, consumer rights groups and the airline industry in order to create this bill of rights.
Some of the passenger compensations being proposed include:
- Up to $1,000 for flight delays and cancellations within and airline’s control that are not safety related (that amount will be a sliding scale depending on how long it takes to get to the destination — A three-six hour delay is $400, six-nine hours is $700, for delays of more than nine hours is $1000)
- Up to $2,400 if a passenger is denied boarding because an airline has over-booked the flight or because of other actions within an airline’s control
- Compensation for lost or damaged baggage, including a refund of any baggage fees
Passengers would now be allowed to leave the airplane, when it is safe to do so, if a tarmac delay lasts for over three hours and there’s no prospect of an imminent take-off.
Other recommendations include airlines provide passengers with food, drink and accommodation when their flights are delayed; the airline will let children under 14 sit near an accompanying adult at no extra charge and the airline should provide more established clarification on policies about transporting musical instruments.
Should the airlines not comply with these regulations they will be subjected to a fine of up to $25,000.
Public input is required before the rules are finalized.
The CTA hopes to have the rules fully in place by July 1, 2019.
