Transport Agency Decision on Air Licences
THUNDER BAY – AVIATION – “This is an important determination that will help create clarity and predictability for the air industry and travellers,” said Scott Streiner, Chair and CEO of the Canadian Transportation Agency. “The determination recognizes the evolution of business models, encourages innovation and consumer choice in the market, and ensures continued protection for passengers.”
The Canadian Transportation Agency has issued a determination which it states, “Will bring clarity and predictability to the air industry, allow for innovation and consumer choice, and maintain protection for travellers”.
The Agency determined that resellers – companies who purchase seats from an air carrier and resell them to the public – will not be required to hold an air licence, so long as they do not hold themselves out to the public as being an air carrier that is operating an air service.
The Agency also determined that NewLeaf Travel Company Inc., should it proceed in a manner consistent with its proposed business model, would be a reseller that is not operating an air service and therefore, would not be required to hold an air licence, as long as it does not hold itself out to the public as an air carrier operating an air service.
In determining whether a reseller is holding itself out to the public as an air carrier, the Agency will consider whether it makes it clear through its marketing material, including on its website and tickets, that it is a reseller, while clearly identifying the air carrier that is operating the aircraft.
Air travelers will continue to be covered by the terms and conditions of carriage set out in the actual air carrier’s tariff, which will be monitored by Agency staff to ensure that legislative and regulatory requirements related to consumer protection are fully respected. In addition, the Agency will post information on its website explaining the difference between resellers and air carriers, to help Canadians make informed purchasing decisions.
The determination reflects the most reasonable interpretation of the statutory requirements related to domestic air licences, and was made after careful consideration of submissions received through a public consultation process, held in December and January.
Quick Facts
The Agency is an independent quasi-judicial tribunal and regulator. It is the aeronautical authority for Canada that issues licenses to operate publicly available air services.
Definition of a reseller and an air carrier: A reseller is a company that purchases seats on an air carrier and resells those seats to the public. The reseller does not operate any aircraft. The air carrier operates the aircraft. It carries the passengers who have bought tickets through the reseller.
As part of its compliance monitoring activities, Agency staff will examine activities of resellers where there is some indication that the criteria established in this determination is not being respected and, should that be the case, it could require those resellers to change their practices or will require that they obtain a licence as an air carrier.
