The growing backlog means each case now needs more than a year and a half to handle, spurring advocates and politicians to question the entire process.
NDP transport critic Taylor Bachrach plans to table a private member’s bill today that aims to close loopholes, increase fines and make compensation automatic for travellers whose flights are delayed or cancelled.
Last week, Transport Minister Omar Alghabra pledged $76 million over three years to chip away at the backlog by hiring 200 more employees,
He also vowed to end a loophole that lets airlines reject compensation claims by citing safety as the reason for a flight disruption.
The complaint backlog shot up after travel chaos erupted over the summer and again during the winter holidays as flight demand surged and weather refused to co-operate.