Air Canada offers to cover the additional expenses of passengers racked during the strike
Air Canadian passengers whose travel plans were interrupted Strike recently by flight attendants Their out-of-packets are ready to get some relief for expenses.
On Thursday, Air Canada announced This would cover the “appropriate” expenses for the hotels, food and transport costs made by the passengers who ended the flight delay and cancellation between August 15 and August 23.
“We apologize deeply,” said in a statement by Air Canada COO Mark Nasar. “And we are committed to make things right for all customers.”
A day later in Air Canada, it was announced that he would reimburse the passengers who booked a journey on other airlines, or took another way of transport after canceling their flights due to the strike.
Damage control airline, expert says
Under the Canadian air passenger conservation rules (Appr), the airlines have not been bound to cover travel expenses added for flight disruptions due to contract disputes.
But aviation expert John Gradek suggested that Air Canada offered to reimburse the affected passengers, who re -booked their own flights as damage control.
He explains that Appr says that when the airlines cancels flights for any reason, they should offer to re -book affected passengers.
“They know that the federal government is going to see him,” said Gradek, a professor of operations and integrated aviation management at McGill University.
“This is a step in the right direction.”
Air Canada says it is almost completely operational but some customers are still stuck abroad. Britney Bilhete of CBC spoke to the passengers waiting to fly homes.
You have the right to a renting
InattentivelyWhen the airlines cancels flights, they will have to provide an option to the affected passengers between the cash correspondent or rebooking.
If a large airline, such as Air Canada, cannot re -book you on a fellow airline within 48 hours after your original departure time, the carrier should try to re -book on any airline – even a major competitor.
If nothing is available, the airline should search for alternative flights at other nearby airports, and provide transport at that airport.
Airlines that do not face heavy fines. Earlier this year, Canadian Transport Agency (CTA) Westjet killed with a fine of $ 204,000 Those passengers whose flights were canceled to fail to re -book During a Westjet mechanics strike In 2024.
UK, passengers flying from the European Union have more rights
Although Air Canada is offering to cover the expenses that passengers were performed during the strike, it is not offering additional compensation.
And under the Appr, there is no obligation to do so. Regional state Passengers can claim up to $ 1,000 for delayed or canceled flights that are under the control of airlines. But this considers contract disputes beyond the control of an airline.
However, Air Canadian passengers can claim compensation if their canceled flight departed United kingdom Or European UnionThis is because travelers departing from those countries are covered European Union Hawaii Passenger RightsWhich provide extensive protection compared to Canada’s rules.
Similar to Appr, European Union rules decide that passengers when airlines cancels flights, Are outstanding Refund or a ribbooking. European Union rules can also deny compensation of state airlines flight disruption Due to strikeHowever, they specify that this discount only applies to disputes that do not include the airline.
The strike by its employees of an airline “does not issue airline from its obligation to pay compensation,” European Union states online,
Passengers can choose to register compensation claims under the Rules of Appr or European Union. As a result, the affected Air Canadian travelers who qualify under the rules of the European Union Can search Compensation up to € 600 ($ 965 CDN). Passengers Departure from UK Can claim up to £ 520 ($ 970 CDN).
Jyoff White, Executive Director of Public Interest Planning Center, said, “In Europe, the scene is very consumer friendly,” No, no, no, the airline can definitely control how it interacts with its unions and should be on the airline, “
“We have to go a long way to go here in Canada.”
Montreal Convention
Passengers traveling outside Canada – including the United States – may be able to claim expenses under the United States Montreal ConventionTreaty adopted by many countries including Canada.
The conference allows passengers to fly internationally To take compensation For delay or damaged goods, and financial losses due to flight disruption.
Airlines Are not responsible If the disintegration was due to “extraordinary circumstances”, but Gradek says that a strike that includes airline should not fall into that category.
“There is liability for their passengers by the carrier, even if it is a labor disruption.”
Any passenger who believes in Air Canada – or any other airline – can not respect his rights file a complaint With CTA. However, they can wait for a long time for the resolution; In JuneThe federal regulator reported a backlog of more than 87,000 air passenger complaints.
Advocate Gorbor Lucaks says that passengers should enter their talks with the airlines when they claim their rights under air passenger protection rules.
