Transport Minister Omar Alghabra says airways’ use of loopholes round traveller compensation “left government with no choice” however to strengthen passenger rights guidelines.
Alghabra says the COVID-19 pandemic uncovered gaps within the Liberals’ passenger rights constitution, as carriers often cited security as the rationale for last-minute cancellations and delays, relieving them of their obligation to pay compensation to clients.
On Monday, the federal minister laid out reforms that put the onus on airways to point out a flight disruption was brought on by security issues or causes outdoors their management.
“Today, I’m announcing that we are making significant changes to the air passenger rights,” Alghabra mentioned Monday. “There will be no more loopholes where airlines can claim a disruption is caused by something outside of their control.”
Tabled within the House of Commons on Thursday, the amendments additionally ratchet up the utmost penalty for provider violations to $250,000 — a tenfold enhance — and put the regulatory value of complaints on carriers.
The National Airlines Council of Canada, an trade group representing 4 of the nation’s greatest carriers, says the price of harder passenger protections may trickle right down to travellers by the use of pricier fares.
NDP transport critic Taylor Bachrach says the proposed regulation nonetheless leaves the so-called security loophole intact and falls wanting European passenger rights requirements.
— With recordsdata from Global News
