Skip to main content

Airline 'cost and quality' concerns prompt probe of industry in Canada

An Air Canada Star Alliance plane is seen at Pearson Airport in Toronto, on Wednesday, July 24, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christopher Katsarov An Air Canada Star Alliance plane is seen at Pearson Airport in Toronto, on Wednesday, July 24, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christopher Katsarov
Share
GATINEAU, Que. -

The Competition Bureau says it is launching its market study of domestic airline service as concerns around prices and quality persist.

Competition commissioner Matthew Boswell says "many Canadians are frustrated by the cost and quality" of air travel in Canada, and that he aims to put forward recommendations on how to improve it.

The watchdog says the study will zero in on the state of competition among carriers, barriers to entry and growth in the market and obstacles for travellers looking to make informed choices.

The bureau says Air Canada and WestJet command roughly 80 per cent of the domestic market and that fares "may be relatively high."

Meanwhile, the number of passenger complaints lodged with the country's transport regulator has reached new highs topping 72,000, resulting in wait times of up to two years.

The Competition Bureau's final report is expected in June 2025.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 29, 2024.

CTVNews.ca Top Stories

DEVELOPING

DEVELOPING Exploding electronic devices kill 14, wound 450 in second day of explosions in Lebanon

Lebanon's health ministry said Wednesday that at least 14 people were killed and 450 others wounded by exploding electronic devices in multiple regions of the country. The explosions came a day after an apparent Israeli attack targeting pagers used by Hezbollah killed at least 12 and wounded nearly 3,000. Here are the latest updates.

What to know about the deadly electronic explosions targeting Hezbollah

Just one day after pagers used by hundreds of members of the militant group Hezbollah exploded, more electronic devices detonated in Lebanon Wednesday in what appeared to be a second wave of sophisticated, deadly attacks that targeted an extraordinary number of people. Here's what we know so far.

Local Spotlight

Stay Connected