Canadian Transportation Agency, a quasi-judicial tribunal and regulator tasked with enforcing air passengers' rights and compensation rules. explained the proposed changes According to the Regulation on the Protection of Air Passengers.
If the changes are adopted, airlines would take greater responsibility for travel disruptions caused by “exceptional circumstances”, including a security threat, an illegal act, environmental disaster or disruptive passenger behaviour. In such cases, flight disruption is inevitable even if the airline has taken all reasonable precautions.
Depending on the circumstances, passengers may be entitled to various forms of compensation from the airline, including meals and accommodation.
If the flight is canceled, delayed by at least three hours, or the passenger falls off the flight, they will have the option of receiving a refund instead of rebooking. If the passenger prefers a refund, the airline will be required to make payment within 15 days (half of the current 30-day period).
Under the proposed changes, airlines would be required to provide meals to passengers whose flights are delayed by two hours or more and offer lodging for overnight delays.
The changes also aim to improve travel for people with young children.
Under the new rules, children under the age of 14 will have to sit next to their parent or guardian on the plane at no additional cost. If this seat is not available at the time of booking, it is the airline's responsibility to inform passengers and do its best to find adjacent seats.
New rules will impact affordability, airlines council says
Jeff Morrison, president and CEO of the National Airlines Council of Canada, which represents Canada's largest air carriers, expressed concern about the changes.
He said in a statement that the proposed rules were “expensive, burdensome and do not take into account the complex operational reality of airlines.” If adopted, he said they would impact affordability and connectivity for Canadians.
In June 2023, Parliament passed amendments to the Canada Transportation Act requiring updates to the Air Passenger Protection Regulations. The proposed changes were prepared following consultations with the minister of transport and approved by the Treasury Board.
“The proposed changes eliminate gray zones and uncertainty about when passengers will be owed compensation, which will result in faster solutions for passengers,” Transport Minister Anita Anand said in a statement. he said.
A 75-day consultation period examining the proposed changes will run until March 6.
