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Flight Rights Canada for air travellers

The Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, has launched Flight Rights Canada, strengthening consumer protection for air travellers.

According to a government press release, "Flight Rights Canada will benefit Canadians by increasing awareness of their rights when travelling by air, and by ensuring transparency and accountability of air carriers. The foundation for Flight Rights Canada already exists in Canadian legislation."

"Through Flight Rights Canada, air travellers will be reassured that options are available to them if they are inconvenienced. Consumer protection is important to our government and that’s why we are taking further action," said Minister Cannon. "The introduction of Flight Rights Canada will help make sure that air travellers know their rights as consumers, and that obligations of air carriers are reflected in how they provide services."

In 2007, An Act to Amend the Canada Transportation Act was passed that included measures to better inform the travelling public of their rights as consumers. Domestic air carriers are now required to prominently display their terms and conditions of carriage at their business offices and to post this information on their websites. Regulations are being developed to require international carriers selling air transportation to and from Canada to also post their terms and conditions of carriage on their websites. In addition, an informal complaints process within the Canadian Transportation Agency was also made available.

Passengers who are not satisfied with the level of protection provided by an air carrier also have options available to them, including the purchase of additional insurance. Flight Rights Canada will make information available to air travellers in several ways. It will inform Canadians of their rights through prominent signage at key airports. Flight Rights Canada reminds air travellers that they are entitled to ask for and receive a carrier’s terms and conditions of carriage, and explains the complaints mechanism in place that ensures carriers are held to account for their commitments.

The Flight Rights Canada initiative is another important step in ensuring our air travel system delivers for Canadians.