Feds won't force airline ticket refunds for COVID-19 cancellations

by

Summary

Canada's transport minister said forced refunds would further devastate industry

PM Justin Trudeau said there is a way to balance survival of the industry with fair treatment for consumers


OTTAWA — The federal government is signalling that it won’t force airlines to offer refunds to ticket holders for flights cancelled during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Federal transport minister Marc Garneau said Friday mandating a reimbursement on a sector that has lost more than 90 per cent of its revenue during the lockdown would basically cripple an industry that’s of vital importance to Canada.

“If airlines had to immediately reimburse all cancelled tickets it would have a devastating effect on the air sector which has been reeling since the COVID-19 pandemic started,” he said.