Airlines should be required to refund customers for flights cancelled as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to North Island-Powell River MP Rachel Blaney.
That is the message she sent yesterday in a letter to federal minister of transportation Marc Garneau.
Blaney, in a media release, stated she has been hearing from many local residents who had travel plans cancelled and have been left frustrated and out of pocket, thousands of dollars in some cases.
Blaney cited the case of Susan Armstrong, a retiree from Campbell River, who had booked a trip to Europe with Air Canada. Blaney stated Armstrong has been offered a credit that is good for two years, but she now has no intention of travelling within that time period.
“I documented calls, wait times, and auto disconnections then I tried email,” stated Armstrong in the media release. “The latest was Air Canada saying that I could cancel my credit and put it through my credit card insurance, and perhaps they would refund it, but that I should call my credit card company first as they may not.”
Blaney stated that Diana and Terry Fright of Comox had planned a bucket-list trip to Haida Gwaii in June.
“They were offered a cash refund of less than a quarter of their flight costs, or a travel voucher that would expire prior to next year’s tour guide season,” stated Blaney. “As seniors with health concerns, there is no guarantee that they will be able to reschedule their trip and would like to have their money back to help address immediate costs and alternate plans this summer.”
In her letter to the minister, Blaney noted challenges faced by the airline industry and the important role it plays in bringing visitors to this region, but stated, “it is completely unfair that individuals who happened to purchase travel tickets before the pandemic should shoulder the burden of financially supporting the airlines.
“If the airlines need additional support, the federal government is the only body with the capacity and resources to provide that. This government needs to mandate that airlines refund all unused tickets to their customers and fill the gaps as needed.”
