Airfare Advertising Changes Makes Travelers Lives Easier

New advertising regulations brought into effect in December of 2012 are making things a little easier for Canadian airline passengers when purchasing flights.

Any advertisement (from either a person or corporation) regarding air prices for sale to the public, for travel within, or originating in Canada, through any media must now display all-inclusive pricing.

The new pricing rules require that the total price of the advertised air service include all taxes, fees and charges.  Gone are the days of the frustrating surprise $300 tax added on just before your purchase.

WestJet, Air Canada, Porter, Air Transat, Canadian North, First Air, Air Creebec, Sunwing, Air Inuit and Orca Airways are all now displaying the new price requirement on their on-line booking systems.

In a news release from The Canadian Transportation Agency on Tuesday they said that “the regulations enable consumers to easily determine the total advertised air price and promote fair competition between all advertisers in the air travel industry.”

The Agency says that they are “continuing to work with the industry to ensure that all advertisers understand all of the regulatory requirements, which includes a breakdown of advertiser-imposed charges and fees, as well as other third-party charges and optional charges.”

Advertisements are also required to give a basic description of the air service offered that states the points of origin and destination, and whether the service is one-way or round trip. As well adds must inform the customer of any limitations with respect to booking or travel availability periods, and finally the advertiser must provide access to a breakdown of the taxes, fees and charges, and information on any optional services offered for a fee or charge.

Those found in noncompliance with the new regulations will face the possibility of some hefty fines, up to $5,000 against an individual and $25,000 against a corporation.

SOURCE: Canadian Transportation Agency