Strike watch: TICO shares guidance for customers with Transat bookings

EDITOR'S NOTE: Air Transat reached a tentative agreement with the ALPA on Tuesday night (Dec. 9), averting a strike. Click here for details.

On the heels of Air Transat’s pilots issuing a 72-hour strike notice, the Travel Industry Council of Ontario (TICO) has shared information for consumers who booked travel services with Transat Tours Canada Inc., operating as Transat Holidays and Transat Distribution Canada Inc., or operating as Transat Travel (TICO-registered tour operators) either directly or through a TICO-registered travel retailer (including TICO-registered online booking websites).

Air Transat will begin a gradual shutdown of its operations Monday (Dec. 8) ahead of a possible Dec. 10th strike, which means the following regulations will apply:

For travel packages

Under Ontario law, if a travel retailer or tour operator acquires rights to travel services for resale to other registrants or consumers and is unable to provide the travel services purchased due to the failure of a supplier(s) to provide the service (e.g., flight to destination), then the consumer must be offered their choice of:

• A refund;
• Comparable alternate travel services acceptable to the customer; or
• A voucher or similar document that is acceptable to the customer for future redemption towards travel services.

Where a consumer prefers a full refund for a travel package sold, or otherwise provided, by Transat, Ontario’s consumer protections laws require a refund be provided within a reasonable timeframe, says TICO.

“The possibility of travel disruptions is challenging on both travellers and for the travel advisors working hard to support them,” said TICO’s CEO Richard Smart in a press release. “Ontario’s travel laws ensure consumers are given practical options when an element of their travel package can’t be delivered, providing added clarity and peace of mind.”

For air-only bookings

For potential compensation and regulations for air-only cancellations and delays, advisors and passengers should refer to the Canadian Transportation Agency’s Air Passenger Protection Regulations, says TICO.

For the latest about Air Transat’s strike notice, click here.

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