Air Canada challenges decision on wheelchairs

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Tim Rose was unable to take a flight to Cleveland in 2016 because of the size of his electric wheelchair.

Radio-Canada

Air Canada is appealing a decision by the country's transportation regulator, which seeks to improve accessibility for travelers with disabilities.

The action before the Federal Court of Appeal seeks to overturn an order of the Federal Court of Appeal; Canadian Transportation Agency which requires the airline to accommodate passengers whose electric wheelchairs do not fit through the cargo door of a common airliner.

The organization asked Air Canada either to find similar flights on a comparable route, or to switch planes to have one on the route that can transport electric wheelchairs, provided that the customer requests it three weeks in advance.

Air Canada's appeal against plane replacement order extends case which has dragged on for more than seven years after passenger Tim Rose accused the company of discrimination when it told him his electric wheelchair would not fit on the plane in 2016, which prevented him from taking a flight to Ohio.

LoadingPaid to study, but not obliged to go to construction sites afterwards

Paid for study, but not obliged to go to the construction sites afterwards

ELSE ON INFO: Paid to study, but not obliged to go to the construction sites afterwards

Mr. Rose was told he could not book a flight from Toronto to Cleveland, where, ironically, he was scheduled to give a presentation on disability awareness in large corporations.

When I told the representative at the medical counter that it was discriminatory, she replied: ''No, your wheelchair is like luggage. If it doesn't fit, it doesn't fit.

A quote from plaintiff Tim Rose

Mr. Rose finds Air Canada's decision to appeal disappointing, particularly after the carrier welcomed new measures in November to improve the travel experience for passengers who live with a disability.

I have the impression that Air Canada is having a double talk at the moment, he said. It is hypocritical to suggest, on the one hand, that they are trying to improve and, on the other hand, to continue to fight the decision that ensures dignity and accessibility to all Canadians in wheelchair.

Air Canada says it has agreed to most of the ruling's orders to remove barriers, including ;#x27;obligation to find a plane that takes off within a maximum of one day of the desired departure date, if the customer requests it three weeks in advance.

What we are contesting is the obligation to change the plane planned for an itinerary in a short time, for a particular purpose, said spokesperson Peter Fitzpatrick.

In the notice of appeal filed December 21, Air Canada maintains that the obligation to change the aircraft to one with larger cargo doors constitutes a constraint and a competitive disadvantage.

Some loading doors are as short as 2.5 feet (76 cm), while many power wheelchairs, when folded, are 3 feet high (91 cm).

With information from The Canadian Press