United Kingdom
United States
Asia Pacific
Air Canada to refund fares after Fort McMurray ‘price gouging’ outcry
Friday, 09 May, 2016
0
Air Canada said it will offer part refunds to passengers fleeing the Fort McMurray fire after accusations of major price gouging surfaced online.
Some passengers posted photos of air tickets on social media priced at $4,000.
However Air Canada said any ‘premium prices’ paid was purely down to automated revenue management systems.
In a statement posted on their website, Air Canada said: "It is not correct that we raised fares in response to this devastating situation. In some cases, customers booking last minute on May 3 and 4 on flights from Fort McMurray and Edmonton paid premium fares."
"This was a result of Air Canada’s computerized revenue management system, which automatically manages fares."
The company was unable to adjust fares manually, it said.
"In those instances we’re contacting customers who paid a premium to adjust the fare to the normally available, lowest advance fare and refund the difference," the airline said.
Air Canada said it adding more capacity to these routes and is waiving baggage and pet carriage fees.
Still, the carrier is continuing to get some serious criticism online for its policy, especially as rival Westjet was airlifting people out of the area for free.
The epic wildfire could burn for months, officials say.
The Alberta government said it would grow in size to more than 2,000 square kilometres fueled by gusty winds.
More than 80,000 people have left Fort McMurray since a mandatory evacuation was initiated.
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
Walt Leger on New Orleans’ Resilience and Major Events Ahead
Cindy Mackin Shares Estes Park’s Winter Thrills
Mark Jaronski of Explore Georgia on FIFA World Cup 2026
Connecting Small Businesses to Global Tourism Markets: Nate Huff of Tourism Exchange
North Carolina’s Resilience: Wit Tuttell on Recovery and Tourism
Kittipong Prapattong’s Plan for Thailand’s Tourism Growth: Taxes, Visas, and Campaigns
James Jin: Didatravel’s Journey from China to Global Reach and the Impact of AI on Travel
Darien Schaefer on Pensacola’s Evolution: From Small Town to Global Destination
Florida Tourism’s Next Frontier: Dana Young on Expanding Beyond the Classics
Patrick Harrison on Tampa Bay Tourism’s Resilience and Marketing Strategy
Bubba O’Keefe on Clarksdale’s Vibrant Music Scene
Commemorating Elvis and Embracing Tupelo’s Culture with Jennie Bradford Curlee
BA suspending all Heathrow to Abu Dhabi flights
Unexpected wave rocks cruise ship
Woman dies after going overboard in English Channel
Report: Cruise guest died after ship lashed in heavy storm
British teen in serious condition after paraglider collision