Air Canada travelers impacted by the recent flight attendants’ strike are in line for reimbursement of incurred expenses. Air Canada pledged to cover reasonable costs for hotels, meals, and transportation for passengers facing flight disruptions between August 15 and August 23. This action follows the airline’s commitment to refund passengers who made alternative travel arrangements after flight cancellations due to the strike.
Mark Nasr, Air Canada’s COO, expressed deep apologies, emphasizing the airline’s dedication to rectifying the situation for all affected customers. While Canada’s Air Passenger Protection Regulations do not mandate airlines to cover additional travel expenses resulting from labor disputes, Air Canada’s goodwill gesture aligns with industry expert John Gradek’s suggestion that this move aims to mitigate damage.
Under the Air Passenger Protection Regulations, airlines must offer rebooking options for affected passengers when flights are canceled. The regulation stipulates that in cases where rebooking is not feasible within 48 hours, carriers must seek alternative arrangements, even on rival airlines. Failure to comply may result in substantial fines, as seen when the Canadian Transportation Agency imposed a penalty on Westjet for similar violations during a strike.
Despite Air Canada’s coverage of strike-related expenses, the airline is not obligated to provide additional compensation under the regulations. Passengers departing from the UK or EU countries have broader rights protected by EU air passenger regulations, allowing for potential compensation claims of up to €600 or £520 based on the departure location. While EU rules exempt airlines from compensation for strike-related disruptions not involving the carrier, the APPR and EU regulations afford passengers differing levels of protection and avenues for compensation claims.
Passengers traveling outside Canada, including to the US, may seek compensation under the Montreal Convention, which covers financial losses due to flight disruptions. Any grievances regarding airlines’ compliance with passenger rights can be addressed by filing complaints with the Canadian Transportation Agency, although resolving these complaints may entail a significant wait due to a backlog of air passenger complaints.
