Canada to grill airline bosses over bag fees
On the same day airline bosses were being grilled about ‘junk fees’ in DC, Canada’s airline CEOs are being summoned to a meeting for a similar issue.
Transport Minister Anita Anand says she will call Canadian airline bosses this month after Air Canada said it will no longer offer free carry-on bags for its cheapest economy fares.
“Let’s just say I’m not very happy today with what I’ve heard from Air Canada,” Anand said.
“I think they need to take a look at the persons that they are targeting with these excess fees. It is not acceptable.”
From January 3, Air Canada passengers in basic economy will have to pay a carry-on fee of $35 for the first bag.
A charge of $50 is required for a second cabin bag.
Basic economy passengers will also have to pay for a seat selection change at check-in.
Air Canada said the charges are ‘not new and is merely our competitive response.’
“This is not acceptable at a time when Canadians’ pocketbooks are hurting and when they’ve been saving for their travels,” Anand said in a TV interview.
Air Canada’s response is to WestJet which charges for bags for UltraBasic ticket holders.
Air Canada said it is a ‘commercial decision that we took only after our main competitors in Canada enacted similar policies.’
The federal government has some leverage over Air Canada due to Covid-era loans in exchange for equity.
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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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