MONTREAL –
Three years after the new rules went into effect, the regulator that oversees Canadian airlines has not issued any fines related to passenger claims due to flight delays and cancellations. trip.
Air passenger rights advocate Gabor Lukacs says it shows the Canadian Transport Authority’s reluctance to exercise its powers on behalf of consumers.
The lack of fines so far comes despite numerous complaints from travelers both officially and via social media, who say their claims have been denied after airlines cancel or suspend their travel amid the airport turmoil of the past few months.
The country’s passenger rights regulations require airlines to pay up to $1,000 for cancellations or substantial delays resulting from reasons within the carrier’s control upon arrival notice. 14 days or less before departure date.
But airlines including Air Canada and WestJet have denied the payments citing a lack of crew, citing a safety issue that is exempt from compensation, despite the agency’s stance that the lack of employees are usually within the control of the airline and will therefore result in compensation.
The Canadian Transportation Act gives the agency the power to investigate companies and individuals it believes have broken the law, allowing it to request documents, search premises and issue fines. up to $25,000.
This report by the Canadian Press was first published on August 9, 2022.
