Law would force airlines to compensate people for poor service
Tobin Dalrymple
Sun
OTTAWA — A private member’s motion calling for an “airline passenger bill of rights” received unanimous support in the House of Commons Thursday, setting the stage for what some hope will be legislation and new regulations to force airlines to compensate passengers for bad flying experiences.
In a 249-0 vote, the House approved a motion to model an air passenger bill of rights after those in Europe and those being debated in the U.S. The motion comes amid consumer watchdog warnings that cost-cutting actions of airlines affect consumers in the form of lengthy flight delays, overbooked or bumped flights, baggage losses and flight interruptions.
Michael Janigan of the Public Interest Advocacy Centre said consumers bear the brunt of airlines “cost-crunching . . . [the motion] arises out of a whole host of problems that have become manifest in this decade with airlines and their efforts to implement cost-cutting measures.”
But officials with Air Canada and Westjet say it is unfair to pin all the blame on airlines for passenger disruptions. They say any new legislation should look at the entire “supply chain” involved in flight — not just the airlines — such as border and airport security authorities.
“If the entire supply chain, through customs and immigration and the security checkpoints, are not in step to protect the passengers, to make sure they can get on their way, then we believe that the legislation has missed the mark,” said Richard Bartrem, a Westjet spokesman.
The motion’s sponsor, Newfoundland and Labrador Liberal MP Gerry Byrne, said he’s heard “grumblings” the government may not follow the spirit of the motion, but said he is optimistic it will, given the unanimous support it received.
“What we are calling on is the government to bring forward a package of new legislative and regulatory measures that actually enhance protection for consumer passengers, not simply repackage the old stuff,” said Byrne.
Transport Minister Lawrence Cannon has asked the Canadian Transportation Agency to “publicize passenger rights of Canadians, in both official languages, as a way to enforce those rights” already in existence under the Canadian Transportation Act, said Transport spokeswoman Katherine White.
Unlike any legislation in Canada, Europe‘s airline passenger bill of rights, enacted in 2005, establishes minimum penalties — about $600 — for airlines if a passenger is bumped from his flight or it’s delayed. Similar legislation and regulations currently are being debated in the U.S.
Both Byrne and Janigan suggest the issues passengers face exceed mere inconveniences and can be serious infractions on human rights. They each cited examples of passengers being stranded on the tarmac, unable to exit the airplane for hours, with limited access to water, food and restrooms.
“Obviously, in extreme circumstances, it is extremely exasperating and potentially unhealthy for the passengers onboard the aircraft,” said Janigan.
Air Canada spokesman Peter Fitzpatrick said the problem isn’t as severe as some might suggest.
“The vast, vast majority of customers get to the airport on time, with their bags, and they go away satisfied. So I think there is a matter of perception,” he said. “We really are striving to offer the best service to everybody — we have a vested interest in that.”
© The Vancouver Sun 2008
