Key Takeaways
- The Canadian government has yet to finalize updates to the air passenger protection regulations, despite promising changes over two years ago.
- The Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA) has proposed new regulations, but they have not been approved by cabinet.
- The current system is facing a backlog of 88,000 complaints, with many passengers waiting years for their cases to be resolved.
- The updated regulations aim to make it harder for airlines to deny passengers compensation for flight disruptions.
- The government has earmarked $75.9 million to help clear the backlog, but this funding is set to run out in March.
Introduction to the Air Passenger Bill of Rights
The air passenger bill of rights in Canada is facing significant delays in its updates, leaving many passengers frustrated and without compensation for flight disruptions. The federal government promised to improve the air passenger protection regulations (APPR) as part of the 2023 budget, but the new changes have yet to be finalized. The Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA), responsible for enforcing the APPR, proposed a new set of regulations a year ago, but they have not been approved by cabinet.
The Current State of Air Passenger Regulations
The current state of air passenger regulations is a source of frustration for many Canadians. Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon expressed his dissatisfaction with the current system, stating that it is "a state of affairs that I’m not happy with and we want to make it better for Canadians." The CTA has been grappling with a massive backlog of complaints, with 88,000 cases currently waiting to be resolved. Many passengers, like Gerald Van De Ven, have been waiting for years for their complaints to be handled. Van De Ven’s return flight was cancelled, and he was denied compensation by WestJet, despite the pilot acknowledging that the cancellation was the airline’s fault.
Proposed Updates to the Regulations
The updated regulations aim to make it harder for airlines to deny passengers compensation for flight disruptions. Under the new rules, airlines would be required to compensate passengers for flight disruptions unless they can prove "exceptional circumstances" caused the delay or cancellation. Such exceptional circumstances would include a security threat, an unlawful act, an environmental disaster, or disruptive passenger behavior. The proposed updates have been welcomed by consumer advocacy groups, but the National Airlines Council of Canada has raised concerns that they could lead to higher costs for travelers.
Criticism of the Government’s Handling of the Issue
The government has faced criticism for its handling of the issue, with some arguing that it has shown a lack of urgency in addressing the problem. Conservative transport critic Dan Albas stated that the current system "does not work as advertised" and suggested that the government should reconsider the whole operation. Albas also criticized the Liberals for showing "zero political will" to address the problem and treating the transport portfolio as a "part-time position." The government has earmarked $75.9 million to help clear the backlog, but this funding is set to run out in March, leaving many to wonder what will happen next.
The Impact on Passengers
The delays in updating the air passenger bill of rights have significant implications for passengers. Many are being left to wait for years for their complaints to be resolved, with some being denied compensation despite the airline being at fault. The updated regulations aim to simplify the system and make it easier for passengers to receive compensation, but the delay in implementing these changes is causing frustration and disappointment. As Gerald Van De Ven stated, "Get off your ass and do something — we’ve been waiting long enough." The government needs to take urgent action to address the backlog and ensure that passengers receive the compensation they deserve.
Conclusion
The updates to the air passenger bill of rights in Canada are long overdue. The current system is facing significant delays, leaving many passengers without compensation for flight disruptions. The proposed updates aim to simplify the system and make it harder for airlines to deny passengers compensation, but the delay in implementing these changes is causing frustration and disappointment. The government needs to take urgent action to address the backlog and ensure that passengers receive the compensation they deserve. With the funding to help clear the backlog set to run out in March, it is essential that the government takes immediate action to resolve this issue and provide a better experience for Canadian air travelers.