CTA ORDERS WESTJET TO PROVIDE COMPENSATION

The Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA) has ruled on the reasonableness and clarity of WestJet’s international tariff provisions related to its denied boarding compensation. In response to a complaint alleging that WestJet’s international tariff contained several unreasonable and conflicting provisions respecting denied boarding, WestJet will now have to provide compensation to passengers affected by denied boarding on flights to and from Canada. The Agency has ordered WestJet to revise its existing rules for travel to and from Canada. In addition, the Agency has disallowed tariff provisions that exempt WestJet from liability for overbooking a flight. This is irrespective of whether that overbooking occurred for reasons outside of the carrier’s control or if WestJet gives the passenger a travel credit or a full refund. The Agency is of the view that passengers should be able to fully understand their rights and the remedies available to them simply by reading the tariff, which is the contract between the carrier and the passenger. ([email protected])