Air Canada gave four different reasons for a flight delay to two passengers returning to Montreal. This new testimony comes at a time when several travelers are noting difficulties with the airlines, which are receiving more and more complaints The newspaper.
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According to the Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA), as of April, passengers had registered 1,115 complaints against airlines.
But with the resumption of air travel and the problems of several companies such as Air Canada, that number rose to 2,382 in May-June and exploded in July with 2,131 complaints.
Lots of testimonials
In fact, Le Journal has received several testimonials from travelers who have tried to get a refund but to no avail, like this couple, Guillaume and Sabrina, who have had great difficulty returning to the country.
After 21 days of motorcycle touring in the American West, the two travelers were scheduled to catch a flight from Las Vegas to Montreal, but it was delayed seven times.
Annoyed, the couple tried several times to find an Air Canada flight to return to Montreal to attend a wedding as soon as possible.
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“We were told to do it,” explains Guillaume in an interview with Le Journal.
According to text messages consulted by Le Journal, the company has changed its version several times to explain the delays: security problem, lack of staff, handling activities or problems with the pilot plan.
“Air Canada is laughing at the world! They asked for a refund but they gave me a $200 credit. I can’t even go to Trois-Rivières with that,” the young man introduced himself.
The latter has also decided to sue the airline for $3,200, which notably covers compensation in the event of a delay of nine hours or more.
In another story, again involving Air Canada, another passenger, Brigitte Lessard, had her flight to Varadero delayed by a day because of “a tropical storm.”
“But we spoke to people in Varadero and everything was beautiful. It rained, but it wasn’t a storm,” she says.
When Air Canada delayed its flight, Sunwing flew to Cuba that same day, 30 minutes late.
“We had to take a cab home, it was $100. Since then I’ve tried to get my money back, but I’ve only been given a loan,” she says.
Complaints also at the OPC
She filed a complaint with the Consumer Protection Agency (OPC). According to the organization, 35 complaints have been filed against Air Canada since April, compared to 15 for Transat.
“An air carrier entering into a contract must respect it and fulfill the commitments made. Otherwise, the consumer can claim not only a refund, but in some cases any damage that the situation causes them,” spokesman Charles Tanguay said in an email.
NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS TO CANADIAN TRANSPORTATION AGENCY (CTA) ABOUT FLIGHT CANCELLATIONS OR DELAYS
- February : 1196
- march : 1337
- April: 1115
- May and June (combined): 2382
- July : 2131
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