Passenger rights bill fair to airlines: Garneau

OTTAWA — Transport Minister Marc Garneau is pushing back against suggestions the federal government’s proposed air passenger bill of rights is too heavy-handed with airlines, saying the intent is not to pick on air carriers.

Garneau told a Commons committee studying the proposal that the government’s goal is to create regulations that are fair to airlines and passengers to ensure everyone knows their rights and responsibilities.

The regulations would impose what Garneau described as hefty fines on airlines in situations where a passenger has been bumped from an overbooked flight, had luggage lost or damaged, or was stuck on a tarmac for far too long — but only if these were within the carrier’s control. If it is something beyond the control of the airline — bad weather, air traffic control issues, or a security threat at an airport, for instance — then the carrier wouldn’t be held liable.

“We’re not here to pick on the airlines. We’re here to make sure that passenger rights are respected,” said Garneau, who urged the committee to quickly pass the legislation, known as Bill C-49, in order to have the new passenger rights in place next year.

The line between what is and isn’t in the airline’s control is at the centre of a hearing before the Canadian Transportation Agency in which Air Transat says that it shouldn’t be held liable for an incident where two of its planes faced tarmac delays of just over five hours this summer.

The transportation agency said that its three-member panel will begin deliberations in early October, with a written decision expected in late fall. —