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[kjm465]

FYI...because of this policy, my husband and I now only pay one fare for domestic travel in Canada. Let me know if you have questions...it can save you a LOT of money!

K

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Highlights of One-Person-One-Fare Policy Decision
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The Canadian Transportation Agency has a number of ongoing cases concerning accessible transportation. The following are highlights from the Agency's One-Person-One-Fare Policy Decision.

After extensive written pleadings and evidence, and two hearings, the Agency issued a Decision expected to affect some 80,000 persons with disabilities.

On January 10, 2008, the Agency ordered Air Canada, Air Canada Jazz and WestJet to adopt a One-Person-One-Fare Policy for persons with severe disabilities on flights within Canada. The airlines were given up to one year to implement the Policy, which does not apply to domestic segments of transborder and international trips.

The Decision means that, for domestic services, these carriers may not charge more than one fare for persons with disabilities who:

•are accompanied by an attendant for their personal care or safety in flight, as required by the carriers' domestic tariffs; or
•require additional seating for themselves, including those determined to be functionally disabled by obesity.
As well, the Agency ordered the Gander International Airport Authority, also a respondent in the case, not to charge its improvement fee for attendants of persons with disabilities.

The Decision does not apply to:

•persons with disabilities or others who prefer to travel with a companion for personal reasons;
•persons with disabilities who require a personal care attendant at destination, but not in-flight; and
•persons who are obese but not disabled as a result of their obesity.
The Agency offered to facilitate a collaborative process to develop a common screening process for implementation of the One-Person-One-Fare Policy. Such a co-operative approach to work out common terms of compliance would potentially benefit Air Canada, Air Canada Jazz, WestJet and the Gander International Airport Authority, as well as other Canadian air carriers and airport authorities that may consider voluntary implementation of the Policy.

In February 2008, Air Canada, Air Canada Jazz and WestJet sought leave to appeal to the Federal Court of Appeal.

In May 2008, the Federal Court of Appeal dismissed the airlines' application.

In August 2008, the airlines applied to the Supreme Court of Canada for leave to appeal the Federal Court of Appeal's Decision to dismiss their application.

On November 20, 2008, the Supreme Court of Canada dismissed Air Canada, Air Canada Jazz and WestJet's application for leave to appeal. The Agency's January 2008 Decision stands.