OH, CANADA: CANADIAN AIRLINES VOLUNTARILY SUBMIT “PASSENGERS’ BILL OF RIGHTS”

(That’s Right, We Said ‘ VOLUNTARILY’ !!)

WASHINGTON (May 11) – While U.S. airline passengers endured 1,232 tarmac delays of 3 hours or more last year, their Canadian counterparts may soon be able to disembark if their flights are delayed after just 90 minutes, under a voluntary Airline Passengers’ Bill of Rights being proposed by four Canadian airlines.

“If the delay exceeds 90 minutes, passengers will have the option to get off the plane until it’s time to depart,” said Kate Hanni, Executive Director of FlyersRights.org, which has lobbied to allow American passengers to disembark after 3 hours’ delay on the tarmac.

The four airlines -- Air Canada, Air Canada Jazz, Westjet Airlines Ltd., and Air Transat -- have submitted their legally-binding proposal to the Canadian Transportation Agency, which could put them into effect as early as June 8.

“While U.S. airlines fight us every step of the way, airlines in Canada are moving forward on their own to give passengers some relief,” Hanni said “Besides limiting tarmac delays to 90 minutes – half the time we’re seeking – the Canadian airlines’ proposal allows passengers a meal voucher if they are delayed for four hours or more, and a hotel voucher if they’re stranded over eight hours,” Hanni noted.

The Canadian carriers’ proposal is apparently in response to a bill by Jim Maloway, a Member of Parliament representing Manitoba.  Under Maloway’s bill, passengers whose flights are delayed an hour or more would get compensation of $500 for every additional hour they’re detained, with higher penalties for flights 2,174 miles or more. 

“If Canada can do it, we can do it,” Hanni said.  “It’s time for U.S. airlines to stop dragging their feet and treating their passengers like prisoners instead of paying customers.  They should take their cue from their Canadian competitors, and do the right thing.”

She called upon the U.S. Congress to “do what the Canadian Parliament is doing – standing up for passengers, not well-heeled airline lobbyists.”  Hanni will testify on May 20  before the House Aviation subcommittee regarding Emergency Plans and Consumer Issues related to flying.

FlyersRights.org is the nation’s largest grass-roots organization representing airline passengers, with 25,000 members. 

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