TICO offers advice in the event of a WestJet labour disruption
The Travel Industry Council of Ontario (TICO) is offering information to consumers who booked travel with WestJet Vacations or Sunwing Vacations – either directly or through a TICO-registered travel agency or website.
It notes that with the possibility of a labour disruption affecting flights in the coming days, WestJet Vacations and Sunwing Vacations are offering a goodwill policy that allows consumers with upcoming travel plans to change their booking or receive a future travel voucher.
And TICO advises that for more information they can visit the WestJet Vacations and Sunwing Vacations websites.
TICO said that should flight cancellations begin, the below regulation will apply.
For travel packages
Under Ontario law, if a TICO-registered travel agency or tour operator acquires rights to travel services for resale to other registrants or consumers and cannot provide those services because a supplier fails to deliver them (for example, a flight to the destination), the consumer must be offered their choice of:
- A refund;
- Comparable alternate travel services acceptable to the customer; or
- A voucher or similar document that is acceptable to the customer for future redemption towards travel services.
If a consumer chooses a refund for a travel package purchased from or provided by WestJet Vacations or Sunwing Vacations, Ontario consumer protection laws require that the refund be provided within a reasonable timeframe.
TICO CEO Richard Smart said that: “Travel disruptions can be stressful for travellers and the travel advisors guiding them. When part of a travel package can’t be delivered, Ontario law provides protections that can give consumers added flexibility and peace of mind.”
For air-only bookings
- For potential compensation and regulations for air-only cancellations and delays, advisors and passengers should refer to the Canadian Transportation Agency’s Air Passenger Protection Regulations.
- For more information about WestJet’s policies, please click here.
