Transport Minister proposes tighter consumer rules for airlines

VIDEO: Federal Transport Minister Omar Alghabra proposed changes to strengthen the air passenger rights rules in an effort to respond to a backlog of customer complaints.

Alghabra said the COVID-19 pandemic uncovered loopholes in the Liberals’ passenger rights charter, as airlines regularly cited safety as the reason for last-minute cancellations and delays, relieving them of their obligation to refund customers.

Carriers are now responsible to show the reasons behind a flight disruption, whether it’s safety concerns or reasons they can’t control.

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The change also increased the maximum penalty for airline violations by 10-times to $250,000 in addition to the regulatory cost of complaints.

An organization representing four of the nation’s biggest airlines, the National Airlines Council of Canada, said the cost of tighter passenger protections could come down to travellers by way of higher fares.

The proposed law still leaves the “loophole” in tact and falls short of European passenger rights standards said NDP transport critic Taylor Bachrach.

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