Montreal, April 13, 2021 - Option consommateurs is relieved that an agreement has finally been reached between Air Canada and the federal government that will allow consumers to obtain refunds for flights cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
For more than a year, Option consommateurs has been receiving calls from consumers who legitimately wanted a refund for their cancelled flight, but were being refused.
"Consumers have been waiting too long for their money. We therefore hope that reimbursements will be made quickly, and that all sums paid out without any service being delivered will be returned to consumers. We'll be keeping a close eye on the refund process," says Christian Corbeil, General Manager at Option consommateurs.
Option consommateurs is also pleased that the agreement provides for the restoration of regional routes. The organization hopes that similar agreements will soon be reached with other airlines, to ensure that all consumers get their money back.
On the other hand, Option consommateurs still believes that in this case, the law already allowed consumers to obtain a refund, and should simply have been applied.
"Consumers have been taken hostage by the airlines and used as bargaining chips in these negotiations. It will be important to strengthen enforcement mechanisms quickly to avoid the same situation arising again in the next crisis," insists Sylvie De Bellefeuille, lawyer and budget advisor at Option consommateurs.
About Option consommateurs
Option consommateurs is a non-profit association whose mission is to defend the rights and interests of consumers. It focuses on issues related to personal finance, business practices, financial services, privacy and energy.
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Marie-Ève Dumont, Communications Consultant
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