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Air Canada is denying compensation claims from travelers impacted by the thousands in flight delays due to computer problems in recent weeks.
Problems with the communicator system caused cascading failures
The Canadian Press · Posted: Jun 09, 2023 11:34 EDT | Last updated: 1 hour ago
Faults on Air Canada’s communicator system caused recent system-wide delays, delays the company says are ineligible for compensation because they were not at fault. (Justin Tang/The Canadian Press)
Air Canada is denying compensation claims from travelers impacted by the thousands in flight delays due to computer problems in recent weeks.
In messages to customers, the airline says the technology issue was beyond its control, releasing it from obligations to pay compensation.
One traveler, Douglas Judson, says he arrived more than three hours late after his June 1 flight from Winnipeg to Toronto was delayed by an IT malfunction.
Air Canada rejected his request for compensation, but offered him a 15 percent fare discount on any upcoming flight in what it considered a gesture of goodwill.
Judson said the reaction was ridiculous.
Transport Minister Omar Alghabra said last week that Air Canada has obligations to passengers affected by the computer issue as it was under the airline’s control.
In April, the federal government took steps to toughen penalties and narrow the loopholes around traveler compensation.
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