KENORA – Bob Nault, Member of Parliament (Kenora riding) released the following statement regarding the first stage of the new Air Passenger Protection Regulations:
“Throughout our region and across the country, Northerners and Canadians rely on air transportation to bring them to medical appointments, visit friends and family, and conduct business. For far too long, passengers have dealt with long delays and lost baggage. After years of inaction and neglect from the Harper Conservatives, we have taken decisive action to make travelling easier for Canadians. Today, Canadians finally have access to the world-leading passenger rights they deserve which was long-overdue.”
Starting today, airlines are mandated to:
- Communicate information to passengers in a simple, clear way about their rights and recourses, and provide regular updates in the event of flight delays or cancellations;
- Provide compensation of up to $2,400 for denial of boarding (bumping) for reasons within the airlines’ control;
- Ensure passengers receive proper treatment during all tarmac delays and allow them to leave the airplane, when it’s safe to do so, if a tarmac delay lasts for over three hours and there’s no prospect of an imminent take-off;
- Provide compensation for lost or damaged baggage of up to $2,100 and a refund of any baggage fees; and
- Set clear conditions regarding the transportation of musical instruments as checked or carry-on baggage.
Know your rights: https://rppa-appr.ca/
These new regulations will require air carriers to proactively offer standards of treatment. In some cases, carriers will be required to issue compensation to passengers within strict timelines. Passengers will be able to deal directly with the airline to file a complaint. Air carriers will be required to follow these regulations and could face fines for non-compliance.
Phase 2, related to compensation for flight delays, cancellations, and seating children in next to their parent or guardian, will come into effect on December 15, 2019.
“After months of public and stakeholder consultations, our government developed regulations for
Canadian travellers that are clear, consistent, transparent, and most importantly, they are fair. Starting today, Canadians are covered by these new regulations that apply to all air carriers flying to, from, and within Canada.”
Additional Information:
- If baggage is damaged or lost, Canadian passengers are now entitled to appropriate compensation of up to $2100 – more here:www.airpassengerprotection.ca
- Airlines have a commitment to their passengers and we are ensuring that commitment is honoured. See regulations for communication regarding delays: more-here: www.airpassengerprotection.ca
- If passengers are denied boarding, the government is holding airlines accountable for respectful compensation of up to $2400 – more here:www.airpassengerprotection.ca
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