Latest news with #AirPassengerProtectionRegulations
Global News
15 hours ago
- Global News
Air traffic controller shortage could disrupt summer travel, WestJet warns
As Canadians start to jet off for vacations this summer, one airline is warning passengers they could experience delays due to shortages of air traffic controllers. In a statement Friday, WestJet said more than 300,000 of its customers have suffered delays since April and blamed NAV CANADA for the headaches, saying the problem is due to staffing shortages among air traffic controllers. 'These air traffic control staffing challenges frequently become the primary reason for delays throughout the WestJet network,' the statement read. 'The current situation presents serious operational challenges, as the industry heads into peak summer travel, with no short-term solutions in sight.' In May, 4.7 million passengers passed through security at Canada's eight largest airports, representing a 1.9-per-cent increase over the same time last year and a 5.5-per-cent increase over pre-pandemic levels in May 2019, according to Statistics Canada. Story continues below advertisement Winnipeg's James Armstrong Richardson International Airport saw the largest increase, with 7.5 per cent more passengers in May 2025 compared to the year before. 1:48 Staff shortages at Air Traffic Control could impact travel WestJet said it wants the federal government to work with all stakeholders to find an immediate solution to the staffing issue. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy In a statement to Global News, NAV CANADA said it can't independently confirm the number of WestJet passengers who experienced delays, but acknowledged staffing does contribute to delays 'in some circumstances.' However, it said issues are rarely caused by a 'single factor or organization' and it is working towards improvements. 'We're investing heavily in our workforce because safety and reliability come first,' the statement read. 'That includes recruiting, training, and licensing new air traffic controllers at an accelerated pace. There are more than 500 individuals in our air traffic services programs across the country at this time, However, the path to full qualification is extensive, typically requiring 24 to 36 months of classroom instruction, simulation, and on-the-job training.' Story continues below advertisement Meantime, WestJet is warning travellers that Air Passenger Protection Regulations treat delays related to a lack of air traffic controllers as officially beyond the airline's control. That means there will be no compensation if delays occur due to NAV CANADA staffing issues.
Time Business News
a day ago
- Time Business News
Flight Delay Compensation Guide: Know Your Rights & Claim
light delays have become increasingly common in recent years, affecting millions of travelers worldwide. While some delays are unavoidable, many passengers are unaware that they may be entitled to compensation when their travel plans are disrupted. Understanding one's rights when a flight is delayed or canceled can make all the difference. This guide aims to inform travelers about flight delay compensation, empowering them to take appropriate action when facing unexpected setbacks. ✈️ Flight delayed or cancelled? Don't leave money on the table. Call Airline Help now at 800-594-4991 (OTA) — your compensation could be just a call away! Flight delay compensation refers to the financial reimbursement that airlines may be required to provide to passengers whose flights are significantly delayed. It is important to distinguish this from a simple refund or cancellation process. While refunds apply when a passenger chooses not to fly or cancels voluntarily, delay compensation is provided when the airline is at fault for the disruption. Laws such as EU261 and guidelines by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) set the standard for when and how compensation should be issued. These regulations are designed to protect passengers and ensure airlines remain accountable. Under EC 261/2004, passengers flying from an EU airport or with an EU-based airline may be eligible for compensation for flight delay if the delay exceeds three hours. Eligibility also depends on the flight distance and the reason for the delay. Compensation for delayed flight may range from €250 to €600, depending on the length of the journey and delay duration. Passengers must ensure the delay was not caused by extraordinary circumstances (e.g., extreme weather). In the U.S., the situation is slightly different. There is no federal law mandating airlines to pay flight delays compensation. However, airlines do have internal policies. For example, rules around tarmac delays ensure passengers are not left stranded in planes for hours without basic necessities. Passengers can sometimes receive travel vouchers or other forms of goodwill gestures, but direct delay flight compensation is rare unless a formal complaint is made. In the UK, laws mirror EU261 due to prior alignment with European regulations. Canada introduced the Air Passenger Protection Regulations, which offer fixed amounts for delays depending on airline size and delay duration. In India, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) outlines rights regarding flight cancellation compensation and delays, including assistance and potential refunds. Understanding the cause of the delay can help determine eligibility for compensation for delayed flights. Common reasons include: Technical issues Weather conditions Air traffic control restrictions Crew scheduling problems Security concerns or operational delays If the delay is due to the airline's responsibility, passengers are more likely to qualify for compensation for flight delays. To claim compensation for flight delay, passengers should check: Duration of the delay (typically 3+ hours for EU) (typically 3+ hours for EU) Cause of the delay (airline's fault or extraordinary event) (airline's fault or extraordinary event) Route and airline's origin (relevant for EU rules) (relevant for EU rules) Supporting documents (boarding pass, delay notifications) Understanding these eligibility factors is crucial when considering a cancellation flight compensation or delay reimbursement. Here's a simple step-by-step process: Check eligibility based on the airline's policy and regulatory laws. Gather documents such as tickets, receipts, and email confirmations. Contact the airline and formally request compensation (email or online form). If denied, consider filing a complaint with aviation authorities or seek help from legal claim services. Ensure the claim is filed within the statute of limitations, which varies by country. In some cases, passengers may also be eligible for compensation for cancelled flight, especially when they are not rebooked on time. Under EU regulations, compensation ranges as follows: €250 for flights up to 1,500 km for flights up to 1,500 km €400 for flights between 1,500–3,500 km for flights between 1,500–3,500 km €600 for flights over 3,500 km (if delay exceeds four hours) Airlines may offer airline vouchers, but passengers should be aware they can often request cash compensation instead of vouchers for cancelled flight compensation. Some travelers choose to work with third-party claim services that handle the entire compensation process. These platforms: Pros: Save time Experts handle documentation and negotiation Cons: Take a percentage of the payout Not all services are legitimate Be sure to research service fees and success rates before signing up. In most cases, if the claim is straightforward, passengers can handle it directly. To maximize your chances of a successful claim: Save all documents : boarding passes, delay notifications, emails : boarding passes, delay notifications, emails Take notes or pictures of delay announcements or pictures of delay announcements Remain calm and respectful when communicating with airline staff when communicating with airline staff Use apps like FlightAware or TripIt to track and record flight delay info This proactive approach helps make a strong case for flight cancelled compensation or delays. Navigating flight delay compensation can feel overwhelming, but knowing your rights makes all the difference. Whether it's compensation for delayed flights or cancelled flight compensation, passengers should stay informed, act promptly, and not hesitate to seek what they are rightfully owed. Empowered with knowledge, travelers can now turn frustrating delays into compensated inconveniences—keeping their journey on track, even when the flight is not. 🛄 Don't stress the delay — claim what you're owed! Airline Help makes flight delay compensation simple. Reach out at 800-594-4991 (OTA) and let us handle the hassle. Yes, if the delay was caused by the airline and led to a missed connection, compensation may apply. Extraordinary circumstances like bad weather often exempt the airline from compensation for flight delay. Generally, no. Compensation is not considered income but confirm with local tax authorities. Yes, especially under EU laws or if stranded overnight. This is separate from flight cancellation compensation. Read Also: What is the Safest Seat on a Plane? TIME BUSINESS NEWS
Toronto Star
05-06-2025
- Business
- Toronto Star
This ‘hero' took an airline to small claims court over cancelled flights and won — a victory for all travellers
A recent small claims court decision in Nova Scotia has called out a troubling and growing business practice among Canadian airlines. And consumers can thank Maritimer Jason Hennigar for this. Three years ago, Hennigar bought round-trip tickets to Florida from Halifax through Sunwing. Not once, but twice, the airline cancelled his scheduled flight for 'unanticipated business or operational constraints.' Baloney, a small claims adjudicator ruled in a decision issued in April. Hennigar just wanted to go on holiday — a trip to Disney he'd been planning since September 2022. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW After Sunwing cancelled his first flight and offered to rebook him on another plane — for $500 more — Hennigar agreed. When the airline cancelled the second flight and ignored his requests for the airline to get him on another plane, Hennigar felt he had no choice but to dig deeper into his pockets. Sunwing did not respond to the Star's emailed request for comment. The Advocate Is Sunwing responsible for reimbursing travellers after fire near resort? It says no — but a lawyer says not so fast Star advocate Diana Zlomislic takes a deep dive into Ontario's Travel Industry Act and wonders With his scheduled vacation just weeks away, he forked over $5,155.92 to Air Canada to get him to Florida — twice the amount he had already paid Sunwing. Hennigar read Canada's Air Passenger Protection Regulations, and knew that when an airline cancels a flight for reasons within its control, as Sunwing did, the law says a carrier must provide customers an alternate flight at no additional charge. But he also knew that time was running out and that he wasn't likely to convince a company that had stopped communicating with him that it was in the wrong. So he took his vacation and filed a legal action against Sunwing in a small claims court in Nova Scotia when he returned home. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW The case, which Hennigar won, shines a light on a 'highly problematic and growing business practice by airlines,' says Gabor Lukacs, president of Air Passenger Rights, a Canadian advocacy group. The group, Lukacs says, had no involvement in the case. The Nova Scotia man compiled a 16-tabbed binder of evidence for his Zoom hearing and represented himself. Lukacs, who has never met Hennigar, calls him a 'hero.' At the hearing, Sunwing's claims director testified that the second plane the airline cancelled — a 737 — was scheduled to carry 189 passengers from Halifax to Orlando in February 2023. In a public decision issued in April, small claims adjudicator August Richardson took Sunwing to task. Evidence presented in court, he wrote, shows the airline's business model 'was premised on selling enough tickets for a particular flight or destination to fill a plane.' If the airline failed to reach its target number of passengers by a specific date, it would cancel the flight. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW 'The best that could be said was that the defendant thought it would be too expensive to fulfil its obligation to the claimant to find an alternate flight at no additional cost,' Richardson wrote. 'But the fact that a contract proves more expensive than a contracting party thought it would be does not excuse that party from performance. A bad deal is still a deal.' Lukacs loves that last line and repeats it several times during our interview. 'It's the first time this practice has been called out,' he says. 'When an airline says your only option is to cancel or pay more, that's not acceptable. That's illegal.' The Advocate Air Canada placed this family's 20-month-old on standby — then the real problems began Airline apologizes and offers flight compensation and a travel voucher after family's rough ride Before taking his case to small claims court, Hennigar submitted a request for damages to Sunwing. The airline, without discussion, eventually refunded $2,503 to his credit card. In his small claims case, which he filed in September 2024, Hennigar asked the court to order Sunwing to pay him the remaining cost he incurred as a result of the cancellations, which totalled $2,652.76. Sunwing argued that the federal air passenger regulations upon which Henningar's case relied pertained primarily to 'large carriers' and that it was not a large carrier. Hennigar agreed. He turned to another piece of legislation, the 1999 Convention for the Unification of Certain Rules for International Carriage by Air — commonly referred to as the Montreal Convention. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW He successfully argued that the word 'delay' in Article 19 of the Montreal Convention included the cancellation of a flight — that a cancellation by definition amounts to a delay of the intended arrival date and time. Richardson agreed. The Advocate Airline compensation horror stories take flight. Here's why it may get a whole lot worse After sharing a traveller's odyssey for compensation from Turkish Airlines last week, readers He ordered Sunwing to pay Hennigar for the extra cost of the substitute tickets he purchased himself from Air Canada and layover expenses for a total of $2,652.76 plus costs of $200. There are a surprising number of people named Jason Hennigar in Nova Scotia. I left phone and Facebook messages with three of them but never connected with the right one. If you're reading this Jason, I'd still love to talk with you.
