Air Canada announced last week that it was canceling thousands of flights in July and August in an effort to quell what it said were “unprecedented pressures” that the overwhelming resurgence in travel had placed on the airline industry. The airline was already operating at just 80 percent of pre-pandemic levels. The move has 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 cuts summer flights as industry faces “unprecedented pressures” on travel business Air Canada spokesman Peter Fitzpatrick said the airline believes the schedule changes announced last week will help stabilize the situation, but warned it will take time. See what cancellations mean for your travel plans.
How many flights will be cancelled?
More than 9,500 flights will be canceled in July and August – or an average of 154 flights per day – as Air Canada tries to cut 15% of its schedule, most of which will be to and from Toronto or Montreal. 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 remain unaffected, in part because it is more difficult to rebook, Mr Fitzpatrick said. Some of the main issues for the airline relate to late-night flights using single-aisle aircraft, he said. The reduction in evening flights, Mr. Fitzpatrick added, will allow Air Canada to improve takeoff performance the next morning, help stabilize the airline’s schedule and help other areas such as baggage handling, catering and aircraft maintenance.
Does Air Canada offer refunds and financial compensation?
Currently, Air Canada’s delay and cancellation policy allows customers to receive a full refund regardless of the reason if a flight is cancelled, delayed more than three hours, or if a connection is added to an itinerary. The airline also offers compensation – other than refunds – of between $400 and $1,000 due to either cancellation or delay for travelers who arrive at their final destination three or more hours after their scheduled time of arrival for reasons determined to be within Air Canada’s control and unrelated to safety issues. Cancellations for reasons within Air Canada’s control include crew scheduling issues or when necessary equipment is not available. However, travelers whose flights were canceled due to safety issues such as maintenance issues, travel advisory updates, bad weather and ill crew members or passengers will not be entitled to compensation. More protections are coming for passengers. Amendments to the Air Passenger Protection Regulations, which came into force in 2019, will require airlines to provide refunds or alternative flights to passengers whose journeys are canceled or delayed for at least three hours for reasons beyond the carriers’ control. They will come into effect on September 8. Airlines to refund passengers facing long delays, cancellations under new regulations The changes allow customers to choose between a refund or another flight departing within 48 hours on the airline in question or on a partner airline, at no extra cost. Major carriers are required to carry customers on competitors’ planes. However, until then, passengers whose flights are canceled or delayed for three hours or more for reasons beyond the airline’s control, including weather or closed borders, are not entitled to a refund and the airline must rebook on the next available flight.
How to check if your flight is affected
Air Canada’s flight status page on its website allows passengers who have already booked a flight to see if it has been canceled up to a week in advance. Booked travelers 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 you’re automatically signed up to receive flight alerts, which can be reconfirmed at check-in. For further questions, travelers within Canada and the US can call 1-888-247-2262 anytime.
What to do if your luggage is lost
If you can’t find your bags at baggage claim, Air Canada says to contact your airline’s baggage handler upon arrival, who will ask for your contact information, a detailed description of your bags and belongings , the baggage claim staff and your boarding pass. This information will be used to help you create a WorldTracer incident report, which you can use on the WorldTracer website to update or check the status of your lost baggage. Air Canada advises anyone who does not immediately create this incident report to call Air Canada’s Central Baggage Desk at 1-888-689-2247 as soon as possible, at any time. If your baggage is not found after three days, you will be asked to complete a baggage tracking form, which can be found here. If your baggage is lost, Air Canada will refund checked baggage fees and provide interim reimbursements for “reasonable expenses you have incurred for rentals or essential items.” You can claim compensation here as long as your claims are supported by evidence. “Each delayed bag is costly for us to handle and deliver after the flight, so we have a dual incentive to make sure the bags arrive with customers,” Air Canada said in an emailed statement. With references from David Milstead, Eric Atkins and the Canadian Press.
