The Canadian Transport Agency, a quasi-judicial tribunal and regulator tasked with enforcing air passenger rights and compensation rules. Unveiled the proposed amendments For Air Passenger Protection Regulations.
If the amendments are adopted, airlines will bear more responsibility for travel disruptions caused by “extraordinary circumstances,” including security threats, illegal acts, environmental disasters or disruptive passenger behavior. In such cases, flight interruption is unavoidable, even when the air carrier has taken all reasonable measures.
Depending on the circumstances, passengers may be entitled to various types of compensation by the airline, including food and accommodation.
In the event of a flight cancellation or delay of at least three hours, or in the event a passenger is bumped from their flight, they will have the option of receiving a refund instead of rebooking. If a passenger chooses a refund, the airline must provide payment within 15 days — half of the current 30-day window.
Under the proposed amendments, airlines will have to provide meals to passengers whose flights are delayed by two hours or more and provide accommodation for overnight delays.
The amendments also look to improve travel for people with young children.
The new rules will require children under 14 to sit on the plane with a parent or guardian at no extra charge. And if this seat is not available at the time of booking, it is the responsibility of the airline to inform the passenger and do what can be done to find a seat next to each other.
Jeff Morrison, president and CEO of the National Airlines Council of Canada, which represents Canada's largest air carriers, expressed concern about the amendments.
In a statement, he said the proposed rules are “expensive, burdensome and do not take into account the complex operational realities of airlines. If adopted, they will affect affordability and connectivity for Canadians.”
In June 2023, Parliament passed amendments to the Canada Transportation Act that require updates to air passenger protection regulations. After consultation with the Minister of Transport, a draft of the proposed changes was prepared and approved by the Treasury Board.
“The proposed amendments remove ambiguity about gray zones and compensating passengers, which will ensure faster resolution for passengers,” Transport Minister Anita Anand said in a statement.
A 75-day consultation period to examine the proposed amendments runs until March 6.
