Nothing worse to mark the start of a trip than the cancellation of your flight! Small consolation, the carrier only offers you a credit instead of refunding the price of your ticket.
A scenario which, since the start of the pandemic, has occurred more and more often and has raised lively debates among consumers and experts.
From now on, these situations will be regulated to avoid abuse and protect travelers.
Passenger rights
The Air Passenger Protection Regulations, commonly known as the Travelers Charter, were adopted in 2019 with the aim of holding carriers accountable for cancellations and delays attributable to them.
However, upon its introduction, significant gaps in the Travelers Charter were highlighted.
In particular, a particularly limited liability of carriers during problems beyond their control such as: mechanical problems, unforeseen events or storms.
To address these gaps, new regulations will come into force on September 8, which will expand the traveler protection regime to include previously excluded situations.
The old compensation system
When an airline carries more than two million passengers, it is called a “large carrier”, the others are “small”. This qualification establishes two levels of compensation.
In the event of delay or cancellation of a flight for a reason attributable to the airline, compensation varies depending on the delay in arriving at your destination:
If you arrive more than 3 hours late compared to the time stipulated in your ticket, the compensation is $400 for a large carrier and $125 for a small one;
If you arrive more than 6 hours late, the compensation is $700 for a large carrier and $250 for a small one;
If you arrive 9 hours or more late, the compensation is $1000 for a large carrier and $500 for a small carrier.
The problem is often a lack of collaboration from carriers who hide behind a multitude of reasons “out of their control” to refuse compensation. But that was before.
The new regulations
The new rules which will come into force will provide compensation even in the event of journey disruption attributable to external causes.
Therefore, in the event of a delay or outright cancellation of your flight, the carrier must provide an alternative route within 48 hours. Failing this, he will be obliged to reimburse you in full by means identical to that of the initial payment within 30 days. You will also have the choice to make a new reservation free of charge.
It will therefore no longer be possible for carriers to retain the price paid in the form of credit or other coupon. He will have to reimburse you. The Travelers Charter is enforced by the Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA). It is therefore to the OTC that we must contact when we notice that an air carrier is failing to fulfill its obligations.
When we are well informed, we travel better.