Canada to Quadruple Airline Fines to $1M

OTTAWA - The Canadian federal government announced plans on Friday to quadruple the maximum fine for airlines that repeatedly violate air passenger rights, raising it from $250,000 to $1 million, as part of broader reforms to address a massive backlog in complaints.

Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon made the announcement during a news conference in Ottawa, emphasizing that fines represent a last resort but that the current system requires strengthening. Under upcoming legislation, airlines will also face a strict requirement to pay compensation to passengers within 30 days. "No excuses," MacKinnon said.

The changes target the Air Passenger Protection Regulations, or APPR, which took effect in 2019 and mandate compensation for flight delays or cancellations within airlines' control. The Canadian Transportation Agency, responsible for resolving disputes between airlines and passengers, is grappling with a backlog exceeding 97,000 cases, according to agency figures cited by MacKinnon. Decisions on complaints can take years, MacKinnon noted. "This is not acceptable. Canadians deserve better. It must be fixed."

Last year, the agency imposed $1.4 million in fines on airlines for...