The NDP has introduced a private member’s bill to better protect passengers against long delays on the tarmac.
The bill would seek to compensate passengers financially if they’re forced to endure unreasonable delays.
It would also have airlines offer passengers the option to disembark planes and then re-board if the delay exceeds 90 minutes.
During the snowstorm that hit southern Ontario on Feb. 8, passengers on a SunWing flight heading to Costa Rica were stuck on the tarmac for 13 hours.
In 2010, the United States implemented rules that included threat of a $27,500-fine per passenger for extended delays on the tarmac. Airlines operating domestic and international flights in that country have to return planes to the gate after three and fours hours, respectively.
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Can’t believe this has to even become an issue. If it was Sunwings decision to keep the passengers aboard then I guess big fines will solve it. Surely airlines care about their customers more than that or don’t they ???
I agree with allowing passengers to disembark if the plane is delayed. I think THIS should be the rule. My worry is that by imposing fines, the government might cause airlines to change safety policies to avoid fines. For instance, if the delay is caused by a need to check something before take-off, I’d really like the airline to CHECK that something, and not be deterred from doing so because they are worried about unreasonable fines. I’m sorry, but my time isn’t worth $27,500/day. This seems like inflated compensation. This isn’t the US where you get $1Million because you spilt hot coffee on yourself. Allowing passengers to disembark would solve the issue.
Good post. Simply require the planes to return to the gate after a certain time. That may require emptying out full planes that are already at the gate and pushing them out of the way, but I’m sure that can be arranged in most cases. Let’s leave the silly fines to the Americans.