Article author:
Canadian Press
Christopher Reynolds
MONTREAL — Consumer rights advocates We are seeking compensation from Air Canada for hundreds of thousands of passengers who have canceled their summer flights.
The country's largest airlines fell on Wednesday night with overwhelming travel to the country's flight network, resulting in more than 15% of flights in July and August. Announced to reduceresurrection.
Due to this move, more than 9,500 flights, or an average of 154 flights per day, are off the airline's schedule and are already operating at just 80% of pre-pandemic levels. Flights are primarily linked to the airlines Toronto and Montreal hubs and operate along domestic or Canada-US routes. There were no international flights other than international flights to the United States.
"This weekend of Canada Day will be difficult," CEO Michael Rousseau told employees in a memo obtained by the Canadian press on Thursday.
"I hope we can promise that the steps we are taking will mean an easy summer to come. They do provide some relief, but it takes time and effort. In short, you won't be fully profitable until the second half of July. "
Sylvie De Bellefeuille, a lawyer for the Kebeck-based advocacy group Optionconsommateurs, said the customer is Canada. It states that it is obliged to receive "absolute" compensation under the Passenger Rights Charter.
The Air Passenger Protection Regulations, which came into effect in 2019, require compensation of $ 400 to $ 1,000 for cancellations or delays "under the control of the carrier", unlike refunds.
"I think it's Air Canada's decision to cancel the fight," De Bellefeuille said. "Therefore, people should have the right to compensation."
Rousseau apologized for the cancellation of the flight and "lack of customer service", but the CEO sent an email to the traveler, "Global Airlines. He also mentioned shortening the schedule due to the burden of the "system" (potentially out of the control of Air Canada). "Unprecedented and unpredictable."
Air PassengerRights Advocacy Group President Gabor Lukacs said I sold too much capacity. "
"Even if the aircraft had vacant seats, there were no pilots, flight attendants, or gate agents," he said, adding to the lack of federal government. Security guards and customs officials raised further challenges.
"These are cancellations under the control of the carrier ... The airline may charge differently, but these charges have no water."
Air Canada did not immediately answer the question as to whether to offer a refund or compensation to the customer.
"This wasn't an easy decision, because additional flight cancellations would have a negative impact on some customers," Rousseau emailed customers Wednesday night. I did.
"But by doing this in advance, affected customers will take the time to make other arrangements in order, rather than interrupting the trip just before or during the trip. And there are few options, "says the CEO.
The company's stock, which is based in Montreal, fell 7.5% ($ 1.28) to $ 15.79 in a trading at noon on Thursday, deepening from more than $ 21 per share at the beginning of the month. rice field.
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