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News Release

Fly Smart: Be a Prepared Air Traveller this Holiday Season

OTTAWA - December 12, 2002 - As thousands of Canadians hit the skies to travel during the peak holiday season, Canada's Air Travel Complaints Commissioner, Liette Lacroix Kenniff, wants to help them experience problem-free flights by providing useful hints about air travel.

Ms. Lacroix Kenniff offers a pocket-size booklet entitled "Fly Smart" that is packed with crucial information about subjects like air fares, reservations and ticketing, baggage, delays and cancellation, as well as security and safety. For example, "Fly Smart" explains how air travellers can:

• save money if they're flexible about when they travel;

• avoid being "bumped" from a flight because of over-booking;

• learn what to pack and what to carry on board; and

• know what to expect if an airline damages or loses their baggage.

Should air travellers encounter difficulties and be unable to resolve them with the airline, the Air Travel Complaints Commissioner is ready to respond. Her Office is part of the Canadian Transportation Agency, a quasi-judicial administrative tribunal that regulates various modes of transportation under federal jurisdiction, including air, marine and rail.

Ms. Lacroix Kenniff encourages Canadians to find out more about their rights and responsibilities by viewing the "Fly Smart" booklet on the Canadian Transportation Agency's Web site (www.cta.gc.ca). To obtain a free copy, they may call toll-free (1-888-222-2592)* from Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern Time.

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Note to editors: Attached is a backgrounder with selected "Fly Smart" hints. To interview Canada's Air Travel Complaints Commissioner, please contact:

Jadrino Huot
Senior Communications Adviser
(819) 953-9957

* The Agency also has a toll-free TTY line for hearing-impaired persons (1-800-669-5575).

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Your tickets

• Begin your fare research early to have a better choice of options.

• To save money, be flexible in your travel dates.

• Reserve your ticket as soon as your travel dates are firm.

• Discounted tickets have more restrictions than expensive tickets.

• Purchase cancellation insurance if you buy a non-refundable ticket.

• Airlines will refuse you if you have a ticket that was issued in someone else's name.

Your baggage

• Airlines have limited liability for the loss, delay or damage of baggage. Ask your carrier what its limits are.

• If you believe that a carrier's liability limit does not cover the value of your baggage, declare a higher value at check-in. You can purchase additional insurance from your carrier.

• Lock your suitcases. Keep your valuables and medication in your hand baggage.

• Airline companies will not pay for damage caused by over-packing.

• Brightly coloured and distinctive labels or straps help you identify your baggage on crowded carousels.

Other advice

• Canadian children who travel outside Canada need their own passports.

• The airline you book with may not actually operate your flight.

• Carriers have the right to refuse to transport unruly passengers.

• If you complain to your carrier and are not satisfied with the response, you may complain to the Air Travel Complaints Commissioner, Ottawa, ON, K1A 0N9 or on line at www.cta.gc.ca.

For more hints, including on subjects like delays and cancellations, charter flights and travelling for persons with disabilities, read "Fly Smart" on the Web at www.cta.gc.ca or, to obtain a free copy, call toll-free (1-888-222-2592)* from Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern Time.

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* The Agency also has a toll-free TTY line for hearing-impaired persons (1-800-669-5575).