The Canadian Transportation Agency Launches a Consultation on Baggage Rules

OTTAWA — March 26, 2013 — The Canadian Transportation Agency today launched a consultation to seek the views of the public and industry on the best approach to the application of baggage rules for transportation to, from and within Canada involving multiple air carriers.

Baggage rules address matters such as the number of bags a passenger may check, the weight and size of baggage, how many pieces of baggage a passenger may bring with them on the airplane and excess baggage charges. Carriers can have different policies in this respect, raising the issue of which carrier’s policy applies in travel arrangements involving multiple air carriers.

Currently, different approaches to baggage rules are used around the world. This results in uneven practices internationally and ultimately creates the possibility of confusion and extra charges for consumers and the industry. The goal is to have a clear approach to ensure transparency for consumers and industry alike.

“We want to get the views of consumers and the industry on the best Agency approach to baggage rules for Canada,” said Geoff Hare, Chair and CEO of the Agency. “This approach should be clear so that it reduces confusion for consumers, levels the playing field for the industry and avoids extra costs associated with multiple systems for both industry and consumers.”

The consultation period closes on April 15, 2013. Should you be interested in providing written comments or submissions to the Agency for consideration, please visit our website for information on how to submit your input by email or by mail.

About the Canadian Transportation Agency

The Canadian Transportation Agency is an independent administrative body of the Government of Canada. It performs two key functions within the federal transportation system:

• As a quasi-judicial tribunal, the Agency, informally and through formal adjudication, resolves a range of commercial and consumer transportation-related disputes, including accessibility issues for persons with disabilities. It operates like a court when adjudicating disputes.
• As an economic regulator, the Agency makes determinations and issues authorities, licences and permits to transportation carriers under federal jurisdiction.