WestJet Fined $70,000 for Passenger Rights Violations
by Marsha Mowers
WestJet has been fined $70,000 by the Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA) for violating the Air Passenger Protection Regulations (APPR) in February last year.
The Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA) issued the administrative monetary penalties after finding 16 violations that happened on or around February 15, 2025 at Calgary International Airport (YYC). The Agency says WestJet failed to provide 16 passengers affected by the delay and subsequent cancellation of flight number WS3103, who were waiting two hours after the departure time that is indicated on their original ticket, food and drink in reasonable quantities, taking into account the length of the wait, the time of the day and the location of the passengers.
On or about that same date, the Agency says WestJet also committed 19 violations of the APPR by failing to offer passengers affected by the delay and cancellation of that same flight, hotel or other comparable accommodation that is reasonable in relation to the location of the passengers, as well as transportation to the hotel or other accommodation and back to the airport, free of charge, while passengers were required to wait overnight for their original flight or for a flight reserved as part of alternate travel arrangements.
The APPR regulations provide for clearer and more consistent air passenger rights by imposing certain minimum airline requirements in air travel – including standards of treatment and, in some situations, compensation for passengers.
WestJet has until April 7, 2026, to request reviews before the Transportation Appeal Tribunal of Canada.
