Air passenger rights framework needs tighter rules, bigger penalties: report – National | 24CA News

A parliamentary committee is recommending sweeping adjustments to Canada’s air passenger rights framework.

The report from the House of Commons transport committee calls on the federal government to tighten compensation guidelines for travellers whose flights are cancelled or considerably delayed.

Released Tuesday, the paper comes after chaotic journey seasons over the summer time and winter holidays introduced on by hovering demand, labour shortages and poor climate.

The report’s 21 suggestions embrace greater financial penalties, extra environment friendly processing of compensation claims and placing the burden of proof on airways to indicate why compensation shouldn’t be awarded.

The committee additionally suggests the federal authorities contemplate harmonizing its compensation guidelines with European laws even when delays are for security functions — a payout exemption the European Union doesn’t permit.

With the complaints backlog now effectively over 42,000, Transport Minister Omar Alghabra has pledged to strengthen the four-year-old passenger rights constitution with laws to be tabled this spring.