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News Release

Canadian Transportation Agency Reminds Air Travellers to Comply With Carriers’ Check-In Times

OTTAWA - September 28, 2006 - The Canadian Transportation Agency, in a decision issued today, illustrates the importance for air passengers to arrive in sufficient time at the airport and for air carriers to clearly set out check-in times in their tariffs.

While it is very important for air carriers to set out their policies in their tariffs and to abide by them, the Canadian Transportation Agency reminds travellers that they have an obligation to ensure that they arrive at the airport in sufficient time to check-in, clear security and reach the departure gate.

Pursuant to the Air Transportation Regulations, an air carrier shall apply the terms and conditions of carriage set out in its tariff. In its Decision No. 521-C-A-2006, the Agency found that Skyservice's tariff was silent with respect to check-in time limits. Therefore, the carrier, by its refusal to check in and transport passengers, has not complied with the terms and conditions contained in its tariff.

Following its analysis of the case, the Agency ordered Skyservice to pay a total of close to $3,000 for its refusal to transport a party of four from Cancun, Mexico, to Vancouver, British Columbia, in December 2005, because the family, according to Skyservice, allegedly arrived late at the check-in counter, an argument that was not accepted by the Agency.

Travellers who feel that an air carrier might not have respected the terms and conditions of carriage set out in its tariff should first discuss the problem with the carrier. If complaints are not resolved to their satisfaction, help can be obtained from the Canadian Transportation Agency, including informal mediation to facilitate the resolution of the issue.

The Canadian Transportation Agency is an independent quasi-judicial tribunal that regulates various modes of transportation under Government of Canada jurisdiction, including air, marine and rail.

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For further information, please contact:

Jadrino Huot
Senior Communications Adviser
(819) 953-9957

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