Canadian Transportation Agency proposes passenger compensation regulations
OTTAWA — Air passengers who are bumped from overbooked flights or forced to sit through long delays could receive up to $2,400 in compensation — cash or something more than a pile of coffee coupons — under proposed regulations for the government’s long-promised passenger bill of rights.
The proposed compensation will use a sliding scale, with larger airlines and longer delays requiring bigger compensation payments. Payments to passengers whose flights are delayed will max out at $1,000 and cancellations at $2,400.
Aside from situations beyond their control, there are loopholes that could allow an airline to get off the hook for compensation — specifically mechanical issues that make it unsafe to fly.
Transport Minister Marc Garneau was adamant Monday that airlines won’t mess around with safety and dismissed the idea that airlines will look for ways to get out of compensating passengers.