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Government of Canada takes action to address air rage

April 3, 2009 – Canada's Transport Minister, John Baird, today announced regulatory amendments to help prevent and manage unruly passenger behaviour in air travel.


April 3, 2009  By CNW Group

Canada's Transport Minister, John Baird, today announced regulatory amendments to help prevent and manage unruly passenger behaviour in air travel. The amendments strengthen air operators' ability to protect the safety of all passengers and crew by refusing to board those who may represent a threat to safety.        

Amendments to the Canadian Aviation Regulations are aimed at passengers who, with their words or actions, indicate behaviour that could interfere with the safe operation of the aircraft and create an unintended hazard for the aircraft, its crew and its passengers.        

"Passengers and crew members should feel confident when travelling by air," said Minister Baird. "The measures introduced today will improve the safety of passengers and crew members. These measures represent the Government of Canada's commitment to keeping Canada's transportation system safe and secure."        

The amendments also require that air operators improve training for crew. There is guidance in the regulations for air operators to develop programs to recognize and prevent potential incidents of disruptive and unruly passenger behaviour, and to effectively manage such incidents when they do occur.        

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Additional requirements also include the mandatory reporting of incidents that interfere with the safety responsibilities of crew members and the regular provision of summary reports to the department.        

The proposed amendments were published in the Canada Gazette, Part I on May 19, 2007. After careful consideration of all comments received, Transport Canada finalized the regulations and they became law with publication in the Canada Gazette, Part II on April 1st, 2009.

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