Federal Court rejects appeal that NewLeaf Travel needs licence to operate

A federal court in Canada has ruled that passengers who lose luggage or encounter cancelled flights while flying with NewLeaf Travel need to take it up with the flight operator Flair Airlines, not the discount ticket reseller. In a decision Dec 15, the Federal Court of Appeal dismissed a motion by passenger advocate Gabor Lukacs, who had argued that consumers’ rights were unprotected because NewLeaf is permitted to operate without an air licence from the Canadian Transportation Agency. But the 3-judge panel disagreed, ruling that travellers are still protected because the flights are run by Flair Airlines, which is licensed under the CTA. Lukacs says the decision clarifies Flair’s responsibilities when it comes to reimbursements for delays and damages. <br/>