Swoop faces complaint of unlawful baggage fees

H A L I FA X • An air passenger rights advocate has filed a regulatory complaint against Swoop Inc. claiming the new low-cost airline is unlawfully charging baggage fees.

In a complaint to the Canadian Transportation Agency, Gabor Lukacs says the commercial carrier is flouting Canadian law by failing to offer passengers a basic fare that includes a carry-on and a checked bag.

The Canada Transportation Act requires domestic airlines to offer a basic fare for travel within the country that has no restrictions with “reasonable baggage.”

Karen McIsaac, a spokeswoman for the Calgary-based airline, says Swoop provides travellers with “à la carte service” where they pay a low base fare and add features such as a checked bag for a fee.

She says the airline has specifically designed the selfbooking website and mobile app to be extremely clear around what is provided in the fare and what the optional fees and added features entail.

But Lukacs, the Halifaxbased founder of the independent non-profit organization Air Passenger Rights, said: I find it deceptive to tell people, ‘We have very cheap tickets but, by the way, if you want to have a carry-on, it’s $80 plus tax.” ’

According to the airline’s website, carry-on luggage is about $35 if paid in advance, $50 if paid at the time of check-in at the airport and $80 at the gate.

WestJet announced Swoop last September, offering service to Hamilton, Halifax, Edmonton, Abbotsford and Winnipeg, as well as some U.S. destinations.