Proposed Amendments to the Air Passenger Protection Regulations
Publication Date: December 21, 2024
Source: Canada All National News
Summary:
The Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA) has proposed amendments to the Air Passenger Protection Regulations (APPR) to enhance passenger rights and provide greater clarity regarding the obligations of airlines. The proposed changes aim to:
- Expand the definition of flight delay and cancellation: Extend the definition of a flight delay from three hours to six hours and include a flight cancellation within 14 days of the scheduled departure time.
- Clarify compensation for delays and cancellations: Specify the minimum compensation that airlines must provide to passengers for flight delays of six hours or more and flight cancellations.
- Strengthen the rules for overbooking: Require airlines to offer compensation to passengers who are denied boarding due to overbooking, even if they are rebooked on an alternate flight.
- Provide more information on tarmac delays: Require airlines to provide passengers with clear information and updates on tarmac delays of more than three hours.
- Increase fines for violations: Increase the maximum penalty for violations of the APPR from $25,000 to $100,000.
Key Provisions:
- Compensation for flight delays: Passengers will be entitled to compensation of $400 for delays of six to nine hours and $700 for delays of nine hours or more.
- Compensation for flight cancellations: Passengers will be entitled to compensation of $400 for cancellations within 14 days of the scheduled departure date.
- Compensation for overbooking: Passengers denied boarding due to overbooking will be entitled to compensation of $400, regardless of whether they are rebooked on an alternate flight.
- Tarmac delays: Airlines must provide passengers with clear information and updates on tarmac delays of more than three hours, including the reason for the delay and an estimated time of departure.
- Fines for violations: The maximum penalty for violations of the APPR will be increased to $100,000.
Rationale:
The CTA states that the proposed amendments are based on ongoing consultations with industry stakeholders, passenger advocacy groups, and the general public. The changes aim to:
- Improve passenger protection and ensure fair treatment in the event of flight disruptions.
- Provide greater clarity and predictability regarding compensation and other entitlements.
- Deter airlines from engaging in unfair practices and encourage compliance with the APPR.
Next Steps:
The CTA is seeking public feedback on the proposed amendments until February 21, 2025. Once the feedback period has concluded, the CTA will review the comments and make any necessary revisions to the proposed regulations before finalizing them. The amended APPR are expected to come into effect in late 2025 or early 2026.
Conclusion:
The proposed amendments to the Air Passenger Protection Regulations aim to enhance passenger rights and provide greater clarity regarding the obligations of airlines. The changes are designed to ensure fair treatment and compensation for passengers in the event of flight delays, cancellations, overbooking, and tarmac delays. The CTA encourages the public to provide feedback on the proposed amendments to ensure that the final regulations meet the needs of passengers.
Proposed amendments to the Air Passenger Protection Regulations
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