Canada to grill airline bosses over bag fees

Friday, 05 Dec, 2024 0

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.

TravelMole Editorial Team

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.

The Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB), founded in 1955, is Jamaica’s national tourism agency based in the capital city of Kingston. JTB offices are also located in Montego B...

Our Mission Ecommerce has transformative powers, and we believe everyone should be able to take part. But outdated solutions and overwhelmed systems create uncertainty...

Air Transat is Canada’s number one leisure airline. It flies to some 60 international destinations in more than 25 countries in the Americas and Europe, offers domesti...

Arival advances the business of creating amazing in-destination experiences. We provide events, insights, and community for creators and sellers of tours, activities, ...

Offering the most powerful portfolio in the industry, our 30 brands and 8,000+ properties across 139 countries and territories give people more ways to connect, experi...

A state like no other. A place known for togetherness, celebration and happiness. In Louisiana, we call it “joie de vivre” – joy of life. It’s a joy you’ll find when y...

At Visit California, our mission is to develop and maintain marketing programs – in partnership with the state’s travel industry – that inspire travel to, and within, ...

It’s easy to find perfection in Santa Barbara, but what if there was even more of your favorite finds, activities, events, shops, and restaurants that you had yet to d...

River cruising is a treat for the senses, allowing you to see, touch, feel and experience the world like never before. Sit on the intimate, open-air upper deck as you ...

Hilton is a leading global hospitality company with a portfolio of 22 world-class brands comprising nearly 7,300 properties and more than 1.1 million rooms, in 123 cou...

Celebrating its 30-year anniversary in 2022, Regent Seven Seas Cruises® offers guests An Unrivaled Experience® with every luxury included. Carrying no more than 750 gu...

Central Florida’s Polk County is conveniently located between Orlando and Tampa, and an easy drive to Central Florida attractions and the Gulf and Atlantic beaches. Po...

We’re the number one choice for travelers to the Greek Islands and Eastern Mediterranean – a fact we love to share! Our guests tell us it’s because we offer the only g...

If you’re thinking of cruising, there’s a very good chance you’re considering a Carnival cruise. Growing since our founding in 1972, Carnival Cruise Line — “The World’...

SOUTH AUSTRALIA. FOR THOSE WHO WANT A LITTLE MORE. South Australia. It’s a beautiful place. A place for the restless, for those who want to dive a little deeper, explo...

Welcome to Qatar Airways Qatar Airways is proud to be one of the youngest global airlines to serve all six continents, and thanks to our customers’ response to ...

We make travel accessible for everyone We believe everyone should be free to experience the world. For us, there’s no greater freedom than choosing where you want to b...

Why Avalon Waterways: Happiness flows on an Avalon river cruise. From Asia to South America and Europe to the Nile, you’ll cruise in relaxed luxury with river cruising...