OTTAWA DEMANDS STRONGER, NEW RULES FOR FLIGHT CANCELLATION REFUNDS
Dec 21, 2020
By Bob Komsic
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The federal government is directing the Canadian Transportation Agency to strengthen rules that require airlines to refund travellers for cancelled flights.
Transport Minister Marc Garneau says COVID-19 has highlighted a gap in protections for passengers, which were not designed to cover such lengthy delays.
The announcement comes as consumers advocates lobby Ottawa to mandate airlines to issue cash refunds, rather than vouchers, for flights scrubbed because of the pandemic.
The new rules would apply to future cancellations only and will not be retroactive, leaving those whose flights are cancelled prior to the rules introduction on their own.
Airlines argue they’re not legally required to issue refunds and have been critical of the government for its delay in issuing more help to the struggling industry.
The Trudeau Liberals have said they would not issue any assistance unless carriers offered passengers full refunds.