Air Canada Faces Major Legal Blow

In a stunning decision that’s sending shockwaves through the airline industry, the Quebec Court of Appeal has ordered Air Canada to shell out over $10 million in damages to passengers in a monumental class action lawsuit.

The Case Against Air Canada Unfolds

The ruling, delivered on Tuesday by Justice Judith Harvie, criticized Air Canada for displaying "ignorance and laxity" regarding its obligations under the provincial Consumer Protection Act. The court found that the airline wrongly assumed it was free from compliance with key consumer protection regulations.

Justice Serves Up Accountability

This landmark decision overturns a previous lower court ruling that had determined Air Canada had breached the law, albeit concluding that no harm was inflicted, which bypassed the need for punitive damages. The plaintiffs—backed by a consumer advocacy group and a Montreal resident—originally claimed they were overcharged by a whopping $124 in taxes, fees, and surcharges, far exceeding the fare initially advertised on Air Canada’s website.

Empowering Consumers