Passengers have a right to refunds for flights grounded by COVID

Better protections for the rights of air travellers, immediate refunds for customers and more monetary relief for airlines and airports are some of the recommendations in a parliamentary committee’s report on the air industry’s recovery from the global pandemic. However, the Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities said Wednesday that any financial support from the government should be on the condition that airlines immediately refund Canadian travellers for pandemic related cancellations and restore regional routes in the country. Airlines dropped multiple routes in regions like Atlantic Canada during the pandemic, as passenger volume plummeted with COVID-19 restrictions.The report acknowledged the air transport industry will need extended financial relief that outlasts existing government subsidies, and that programs like wage subsidies and rent relief must continue past the summer for airlines and airports. “There is no doubt that the air transport sector is critical to Canada's economic recovery and to the connectivity of the entire country,” said Vance Badawey, chair of the committee and Liberal MP. He said the committee's recommendations are "aimed at maintaining the sector's competitiveness, protecting jobs and ensuring the health and safety of workers, passengers and the Canadian public.” Air Passenger Rights, an advocacy group, said the report’s recommendations to require airlines to provide refunds were good to see.<br/>