The Canadian Transportation Agency has imposed the first fines just a few weeks after the federal Air Passenger Protection Regulations came into effect.
All the nation’s major carriers were hit with fines for failing to communicate the new rules adequately to customers.
WestJet, Air Canada, Porter Airlines and Air Transat all received fines
Between them, here were a total of 18 violations for $45,000 in fines.
They failed to display a notice communicating the new passenger protections at check-in desks, self-service machines and boarding gates.
It has to display specific wording which is: "If you are denied boarding or your baggage is lost or damaged, you may be entitled to certain standards of treatment and compensation under the Air Passenger Protection regulars. For more information about your passenger rights please contact your air carrier or visit the Canadian Transportation Agency’s website."
Inspectors noted the violations at several airports around the country.
The airlines said ‘signage compliance’ was a major undertaking after the rules came into effect due to the sheer number of locations they are needed.
"We had to review and adjust more than 400 individual items and procedures across our entire system in order to comply with the requirements of the first phase of the regulations alone," said Air Canada spokesperson Peter Fitzpatrick.
This is just the first phase of the airline ‘bill of rights’ with the remaining protection due to go live later this year.
That covers rules on compensating passengers for flight delays.
