Cancelling or Changing your Flight due to Omicron

Omar Ha-Redeye was interviewed by Ahmar Khan of Global News on Dec. 17, 2021 on legislative developments for passenger rights,

While vouchers and rebooking is an option, that is not the resounding desire coming from consumer advocacy groups and people trying to cancel flights, according to Omar Ha-Redeye, a lawyer with Fleet Street Law who specializes in consumer affairs.

“They think they should be entitled to a full refund if their flight is cancelled or rescheduled as a result of these new travel restrictions or governmental advisories around COVID-19,” he said.

Ha-Redeye is sympathetic to the financial struggles faced by airlines caused by the pandemic, but said the priority of legislators should be to ensure the average Canadian gets financial restitution. He said the government should reintroduce Bill C-249, which was designed to amend the Canada Transportation Act, but didn’t make it to a second reading during the last parliamentary session.

“Air passengers have a legitimate right to be refunded when they do not receive the carrier’s air services for reasons beyond their control,” read the text of the bill, which Ha-Redeye said would allow for refunds in a scenario like a government travel advisory.

“The financial situation and circumstances that many of us find ourselves in the pandemic … that full refund is going to be that much more important for Canadians than simply having a travel voucher.”

For people who have gone through a travel agency or agent to book, Ha-Redeye noted they can be in a better situation because maintaining customer satisfaction and having people come back for continued service is integral.

“They want to maintain relationships with their consumers, so they will find a way, especially because they deal with volume to get a refund if they’re looking to maintain a relationship with you simply because they can switch up that ticket, perhaps with someone else who is looking to take the flight,” he said.