Loophole in proposed passenger rights bill could put air travellers at risk
Posted January 24, 2019 11:16 am.
Last Updated January 24, 2019 11:57 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
A passenger rights company says a loophole in proposed regulations could allow airlines to get off the hook for compensation and put air travellers at risk.
AirHelp notes in an open letter to the government that the rules impose no obligation on airlines to pay customers for delays or cancellations if they were caused by technical problems discovered on the tarmac.
AirHelp’s chief legal officer Christian Nielsen says the regulation fails to incentivize airlines to preempt pre-flight problems, jeopardizing passenger safety.
Transport Minister Marc Garneau has insisted that airlines won’t mess around with safety and dismissed the idea they will look for ways to worm out of compensation. He has pointed to the European Union as having similar regulations.
Nielsen and passenger rights advocate Gabor Lukacs dispute that view, insisting airlines in the EU remain accountable for mechanical malfunctions, including those found right before take-off.
Barring the loophole, the government’s long-promised passenger bill of rights would see passengers who are bumped from overbooked flights or forced to sit through long delays receive up to $2,400 in compensation.
