Air Canada penalized for violations of the APPR during the August 2025 labour disruption

March 30, 2026 — Gatineau, Quebec — The Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA) has issued an administrative monetary penalty of $426,000 against Air Canada for violations of the Air Passenger Protection Regulations (APPR). This enforcement action follows a comprehensive investigation conducted in relation to the August 2025 Air Canada flight attendant labour disruption, which affected numerous flights. A targeted sample of affected passengers were included in the investigation, which resulted in 71 violations to subsection 18(1.1) of the APPR.

Between August 15 and 20, 2025, following flight cancellations for a reason outside the carrier’s control, Air Canada, a large carrier, committed multiple violations of the APPR when it failed to, at the passengers choice, provide a refund for any unused portion of the ticket, or provide the passenger, free of charge, with a confirmed reservation for the next available flight that is operated by any carrier, contrary to subsection 18(1.1) of the APPR.

Air Canada has until April 18, 2026, to request a review before the Transportation Appeal Tribunal of Canada.