Passengers seeking compensation from airlines a 'David and Goliath situation,' consumer rights advocate says
CTV
Staying informed of consumer rights can make the difference between receiving compensation or not, one expert says, but access to accurate airline information can be laborious, and technical regulations make understanding passenger rights difficult.
Staying informed of consumer rights can make the difference between receiving compensation or not, one expert says, but access to accurate airline information can be laborious, and technical regulations make understanding passenger rights difficult.
After a tumultuous holiday travel season for airlines, consumers are still seeking compensation for flight disruptions, like the 750 Canadians considering legal action against Sunwing due to travel delays.
Flight issues occur for many reasons, but the cause will determine the compensation passengers could receive, Sylvie De Bellefeuille, a lawyer with Option Consommateurs, a Quebec non-profit association that helps consumers defend their rights, told CTV News Channel on Friday.
"The degree of liability for airline companies depends on the cause of the disruption. Whether or not it's within the airline's control, or if it constitutes an issue of security," De Bellefeuille said. "These facts may affect the rights of consumers for compensation or accommodation.”
When a flight has been delayed, cancelled, or a passenger has been denied boarding, there are three causes why the airline will have needed to initiate those actions, according to the Canadian Transport Agency (CTA).
They are:
If the situation is within the airline's control, travellers are entitled to information from the airline, alternate accommodation, re-booking or refund options and additional compensation of as much as $1,000 in some cases.
