TOP STORY
Victoria airport security screeners fired after federal agency says they failed to ‘protect the travelling public’
Decisions
Compensation, cancelled flight – Visscher v. Air Canada, 2024 BCCRT 146
Claim for compensation for cancelled flight – due to snowstorm, final leg of applicant’s flight rebooked – despite being rebooked, Air Canada did not issue new tickets for the revised itinerary, leaving the applicants stranded – applicants arguing Air Canada was negligent in arranging the revised itinerary -applicants’ claim allowed in part – original flight cancellation outside of Air Canada’s control – applicants not entitled to compensation for that cancellation, or for revised itinerary, under the Air Passenger Protection Regulations (APPR) – applicants did, however, make out claim for negligence – applicants entitled to $1,870.16 in damages
Compensation, bereavement fee – Moffatt v. Air Canada, 2024 BCCRT 149
Claim for refund for bereavement fare – applicant advised by chatbot on Air Canada’s website that retroactive application for bereavement fares was permitted – applicant later learned that Air Canada did not permit retroactive applications – applicant seeking partial refund of ticket price – Air Canada denied liability for information provided by chatbot – applicant’s claim allowed in part – applicant made out claim for negligent representation – applicant entitled to $650.88 in damages
Application to dismiss, class action – Gauthier v. Air Canada, 2024 BCSC 231
Application by WestJet for dismissal of plaintiffs’ claim – plaintiffs are individuals with various disabilities, including severe cases of obesity, and others requiring assistance while travelling by air – plaintiffs alleging that contracts applicable to their carriage are unconscionable and contrary to public policy – plaintiffs seeking damages and other relief on behalf of all residents of Canada, except Quebec, in respect of fares paid or to be paid in future for additional seating required to accommodate their disabilities, or for their attendants and/or service animals – application dismissed – court held that plaintiffs pleaded common law and statutory claims known to law as independent from human rights law or the public policy underlying it – court further held that it was not plain and obvious that impugned conduct is expressly permitted, or that claim should be struck on federalism grounds
Application to vary, appeal – Ashraf v. Jazz Aviation LP, 2024 BCCA 45
Application to vary order dismissing applicant’s appeal – applicant failed to post security for costs – court issued order dismissing appeal as abandoned – court held that dismissal was in the interests of justice – application dismissed – court held that applicant did not demonstrate any reversible error in exercise of the court’s discretion
CTA Decisions
- Suspension – Hélinovations Inc. – Determination No. A-2024-9
License nos. 210004 and 210005 - Application – TRUE NORTH HELICORP INC. – Determination No. A-2024-10
Application for license to operate a domestic service, small aircraft – license issued - Suspension – Altius Aviation, LLC – Order No. 2024-A-S-20
License no. 140085
TC/TSB News
- Airworthiness directives
- Canadian technologies heading to the Moon
- Government of Canada invests to upgrade an essential cargo distribution facility and aircraft hangar in Northern Quebec
- TSB raising the bar on safety: Reducing the risks that persist in commercial helicopter operations
Industry Association News
- AIAC – Statement from Aerospace Industries Association of Canada
- COPA – Canadian women grabbed 12% of all pilot licenses issued in 2023
- COPA – COPA Flight magazine for Jan/Feb 2024 is out!
- ICAO – Secretary General advocates for sustainable aviation policy at World Governments Summit
Union News
- AMFA – AMFA-WJA negotiations update #7
- CUPE – CUPE to present a recommendation from mediators to Air Transat members
- IAMAW – CATSA interferes in sub-contractor labour relations – Directs removal of 34 workers at Victoria International Airport without due process
Airport News
- Airport improvement fee to increase at Victoria International Airport YYJ
- Kuujjuaq airport to get new Air Inuit cargo warehouse, larger aircraft hangar
- Pearson warns of flight cancellations as powerful winter storm hits northeast U.S., Maritimes
- Porter Airlines adding three new crew bases in Ottawa, Montréal, Vancouver
- Smoke causes Delta flight to make emergency landing at Montreal airport: officials
- The Calgary Airport Authority welcomes Jennifer Pon as Chief Financial Officer
- Top 20 markets for air travel demand forecast according to latest ACI World data
Rotary Operator News
- 1 person killed in northern Alberta helicopter crash
- Htiglobal to offer Bell 212 maintenance training course
- Volatus Aerospace stock rises on FAA approval
General Aviation News
- 2 female Inuit pilots made history flying together. They hope it’s a start
- Air Canada pilots see progress with mediator in fight for historic pay gains
- Air Canada’s chatbot gave a B.C. man the wrong information. Now, the airline has to pay for the mistake
- Air Transat’s 2,100 flight attendants called to vote a third time
- A message from Kent Jacobs, FLYHT President & Interim CEO
- Aviation Capital Group announces delivery of one B737-800 to Air North, Yukon’s airline
- B.C. Aviation Council provides more than $90,000 in scholarships, honours industry veterans
- Bombardier launches U.S. technician apprenticeship program in collaboration with WSU Tech
- Canadian flight declares mayday after fire in the cockpit
- Canadian Transportation Agency recognized as one of the National Capital Region’s Top Employers for 2024
- CCC, Safran win contract to repair U.S. Navy aircraft
- Ernie Alligood is shaping a culture of belonging in ACC Ops
- Exclusive in Vancouver, Helijet launches “mid-range” charter jet service available from YVR
- Flair CEO says passengers can “confidently book” for years to come
- Flair, Lynx merger speculation heats up
- NAV CANADA reports January 2024 traffic figure
- Nolinor ramps up capacity for rising northern demand
- Shortage of inspectors, controllers behind worrying downgrade to Canada’s air travel regime: union head
- Super commuters dodging sky-high rents flying from Alberta to Vancouver for work
- WestJet CEO apologizes for accessibility failures
- WestJet could face costly delivery delays due to panel blowout on Boeing plane
- WestJet Group refinances majority of existing term loan facility secured by WestJet Rewards loyalty program and WestJet’s brand
