CTA to hold public hearing on Air Transat delays

The Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA) has decided to hold a public hearing into the tarmac delay incidents involving two Air Transat flights on July 31, 2017.

The hearing will be held on Aug. 30 and 31 in Ottawa. According to the CTA, this decision was made after a review of the airline response to the agency’s to explain those incidents. During the hearing, Air Transat and other organizations and individuals directly involved in, or affected by, the incidents will be invited to present evidence and legal arguments. Broader questions regarding industry-wide rules around tarmac delays will be dealt with through public consultations on air passenger rights regulations, which are expected to begin following passage of the Transportation Modernization Act currently before Parliament, the CTA said.

The CTA has appointed an Inquiry Officer who will collect written and verbal information from parties directly involved in, or affected by, the incidents, and submit a summary report by August 25, 2017. Individuals or organizations directly involved in, or affected by, the incidents should contact the Inquiry Officer at enquete-inquiry@otc-cta.gc.ca or at 819-635-4108.

The inquiry process will be conducted as quickly as possible, but the CTA will take the time required to gather all the facts. This process will ultimately result in a written determination. Should the CTA find that Air Transat did not properly apply the applicable terms and conditions set out in its international tariff, it could require Air Transat to pay compensation for any expenses incurred by passengers and order the carrier to take other corrective measures. If the CTA further finds that those terms and conditions are not reasonable, it could require that they be amended.

On July 31, Montreal-bound Air Transat flight TSC157 from Brussels was diverted to Ottawa International Airport after severe thunderstorms were reported in both Montreal and Toronto. Maryanne Zehil, one of the 336 passengers aboard the flight, was quoted by The Canadian Press as stating several passengers were having difficulty breathing due to the temperature inside the aircraft; one passenger made a call to 911 prompting cabin crew to hand out bottles of water, the report stated.

In a brief statement made last week, Air Transat said that it welcomes the inquiry adding that it suggests that the inquiry examine all of the events and offers its full cooperation.