Air Canada planes sit on the tarmac of Toronto’s Pearson International Airport on April 28, 2021. Nathan Denette / The Canadian Press
Air Canada announced last week that it would cancel thousands of flights in July and August to try to stifle what it said were “unprecedented tensions” that the overwhelming resurgence of travel had caused the airline industry.
The airline was already operating at only 80 percent of pre-pandemic levels. The move sparked outrage from consumers and advocates, who say Air Canada should offer better compensation to the hundreds of thousands of passengers whose summer flights have now been canceled.
Air Canada reduces summer flights as industry faces “unprecedented tensions” in travel operations
Air Canada spokesman Peter Fitzpatrick said the airline believes the timetable changes announced last week will help stabilize the situation, but warned it will take time.
This is what cancellations mean for your travel plans.
How many flights will be canceled?
More than 9,500 flights will be canceled in July and August, or an average of 154 flights a day, as Air Canada aims to reduce its schedule by 15%, most of which will go to and from Toronto or Mont -real.
Three routes from Montreal to Pittsburgh, Baltimore and Kelowna, BC, will be temporarily suspended. Air Canada will also suspend its route from Toronto to Fort McMurray, Alta.
International flights will not be affected, in part because they are harder to book, Fitzpatrick said.
Some of the main problems for the airline relate to afternoon flights with single-aisle planes, he said. The reduction in night flights, Mr. added. Fitzpatrick will allow Air Canada to improve launch performance the next morning, help stabilize the airline’s schedule, and assist in other areas such as baggage handling, catering and aircraft preparation. .
Does Air Canada offer refunds and financial compensation?
Air Canada’s delay and cancellation policy currently offers customers the option to receive a full refund regardless of the reason a flight is canceled, delayed by more than three hours, or a connection to an itinerary.
The airline also offers compensation, other than refunds, of between $ 400 and $ 1,000, either for cancellation or delay for travelers arriving at their final destination three or more hours after arrival time. scheduled for reasons considered to be under the control of Air Canada and unrelated. to security issues.
Cancellations for reasons under the control of Air Canada include crew scheduling issues or when the necessary equipment is not available. However, passengers who have canceled their flights due to safety issues such as maintenance issues, travel warning updates, bad weather and sick crew members or passengers will not be able to receive compensation.
More protections are coming for passengers. Amendments to the Air Passenger Protection Regulations, which came into force in 2019, will require airlines to offer refunds or alternative flights to passengers whose journeys are canceled or delayed for at least three hours for reasons beyond their control. of airlines. They will take effect on September 8th.
Airlines to reimburse passengers facing long delays, cancellations under new regulations
The changes allow customers to choose between a refund or another flight that leaves within 48 hours to the airline in question, or an associated airline, at no additional cost. Large airlines have to put customers on competitors ’planes. But until then, passengers whose flights are canceled or delayed for three hours or more for reasons beyond the control of the airline, including time or closed borders, are not entitled to a refund, and the airline you must re-book them on the next available flight.
How to check if your flight is affected
The Air Canada flight status page on its website allows passengers who have already booked a flight to see if it has been canceled a week in advance. Travelers with a reservation can enter their flight number or flight route and departure date into the search engine.
When you book a flight with Air Canada, the airline says that you are also automatically registered to receive flight notifications, which can be reconfirmed when you check in. For more questions, travelers to Canada and the U.S. can call 1-888-247-2262. anytime.
What to do if you lose your luggage
If you do not find your luggage at the baggage claim, Air Canada says please contact your airline’s baggage service agent when you arrive, who will ask for your contact information, a detailed description of your luggage and items, your luggage claim checks and boarding. passes.
This information will be used to help you create a WorldTracer incident report, which you can use on the WorldTracer website to update or review the status of your lost luggage. Air Canada advises anyone not to immediately create this incident report to call Air Canada’s central baggage office at 1-888-689-2247 as soon as possible, at any time.
If your luggage is not within three days, you will be asked to fill out a luggage tracking form, which you can find here.
If your luggage is lost, Air Canada will refund the checked baggage fees and offer interim refunds for “reasonable expenses you have incurred for rentals or essential items”. Here you can request a refund, as long as your claims are credited with receipts.
“Every backpack is costly for us to handle and deliver after the flight, so we are doubly encouraged to get the bags with customers,” Air Canada said in an emailed statement.
With reports from David Milstead, Eric Atkins and The Canadian Press.