Flight disruption rule change proposals fall short, airlines tell Ottawa – National [Video]

The head of the National Airlines Council of Canada says the federal government’s proposed new rules on responses to flight disruptions “fall short” of addressing concerns made by various groups including provinces, unions, airports and airlines.

Jeff Morrison, president and CEO of the council, said “significant concerns” were raised by the different groups during consultations by the Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA) in 2023, with issues around regional connectivity, cost of air travel and ability to meet regulatory requirements all raised to officials.

“The proposed regulations fall short of addressing these concerns, as they provide for requirements that are costly, burdensome and do not take into consideration the complex operational reality of airlines,” Morrison said in a statement on Monday.

“If adopted, they would impact affordability and connectivity for Canadians.”

On Saturday, the CTA put out their proposed new rules on airlines’ obligations to travellers whose flights are disrupted, even when the delays or cancellations are caused by an “exceptional circumstance” outside …