Flight was canceled due to Air Canada strike? You can have more rights than you feel
Air Canadian flight attendant disrupted the journey for hundreds of thousands of passengers.
As passengers scramble to re -organize their plans, many are seeking answers to their rights. They may be surprised to know that the passengers set to depart from most European countries have more protection than those booked on domestic flights.
Here you need to know about your rights whether the plan for your Air Canada Yatra has suddenly become uncontrolled.
You have the right to book a re -book
Air Canada announced on Wednesday that passengers were affected by canceling flights between August 12 and August 23, who re -booked for traveling on other airlines and paid, can Can CAN Present claims for reimbursementPassengers who took another method of transport house, such as a bus, can also submit claims.
“We have adjusted our policy,” said Air Canadian spokesman Peter Fitzpatrick. “We want to take care of customers and we want to make sure that if they are now trapped, they can reach home.”
Aviation expert John Gradek suggests that Air Canada is offering reimbursement as damage control to passengers, as Canada’s Air Passenger Protection Regulation (Appr) says that when the Airlines canceles flights due to a labor disintegration, they should be offered to book the affected passengers again.
“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.”
InattentivelyUnder all circumstances, when the airlines cancels flights, they should offer an option between cash -corresponding or a rebbing to the affected passengers.
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 vestjet mechanics Strike in 2024.
During the Air Canada strike, some passengers may have found themselves stranded despite Air Canada’s best efforts. This is because the carrier is the largest airline in the country, and its flight attendants went from the job during the Summer Travel season.
Consumer advocate Geoff White argues that the lack of alternative flights for disrupted passengers throws light on another problem: a lack of competition in Canada’s airline industry.
“Why so many people are trapped, we do not have (enough) competition,” said White, Executive Director of Public Interest Advockey Center.
“This is to be a wake-up call.”
In JuneThe Canadian Competition Bureau said the country’s airline industry is highly concentrated with two major carriers – Air Canada and Westjet. It asked for increased competition, and recommended comfort rules that limit the foreign ownership of Canadian airlines.
International travelers have more rights
CurrentlyAirlines have no compulsion to compensate for passengers for their hotels and events, if the strike is delaying their destination.
“Air Canada, for goodwill purposes, can choose to help with it, but there is no legal obligation.”
Passengers cannot even claim compensation to delay and cancel the flight; Consider approval Job action beyond the control of an airline.
However, the affected Air Canadian passengers can claim compensation for both their additional travel expenses and disruption of flight, if their canceled flight departed United kingdom Or European UnionThis is because travelers departing from those countries are covered European Union Hawaii Passenger Rights Which provide extensive protection compared to Appr.
Another day of uncertainty waited for the passengers of Air Canada on Monday, when the flight attendants postponed a federal back-to-work order and delayed the airline’s launching of plans. ‘We have not slept, we are calling, we are tired,’ a disappointed traveler said that he is trying to fly to Portugal for his honeymoon.
Similar to Appr, European Union rules decide that when Airines cancels flights, passengers 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 CAD) for additional expenses such as hotels. Passengers Departure from UK Can claim up to £ 520 ($ 970 CAD).
“In Europe, this scene is very consumer -friendly by saying the scene,” no, no, the airline can definitely control how it interacts with its unions and should be on the Onas Airline, “said White.
“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.”
Where are the new rules?
More than two years agoThe federal government proposed changes for the app, if they were implemented so far, maybe many air can help passengers from Canada.
The proposed change, designed to strengthen the appr, A requirement involves For airlines to cover the cost and events of the hotel during any type of flight disruption – which include labor disruption.
Ian Jack, an air passenger rights expert, says it is unfortunate that the proposed rules remain in Limbo as passengers struggle with Air Canada’s strike.
“Sadly, it is not going to help people in this current situation,” said Jack, a non-profit travel agency Canadian Automobile Association (CAA) spokesman Jack. “People will be in a better situation today that the government proceeded with these (rules).”
Canadian Transport Agency reports CBC news counseling Proposed rule Wrapped in March, and that there is no timeline yet when they will be effective. The agency did not directly answer the questions as to why it took so much time to implement the new rules.
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.
