Investigative reports have revealed that the Canadian airline "Air Canada" has canceled passenger bookings without notifying them, simply because they did not use the first part of their flights, even if they had paid the full ticket price.

Passengers are surprised by their ticket cancellations without notice

A number of travelers who booked round-trip tickets or multi-segment flights discovered that their bookings were automatically canceled when they did not board the first flight on their ticket. This action, known as the “No-Show Policy,” means that if a passenger misses one of the flights in their itinerary, the airline can cancel the remaining flights associated with the same ticket.

Affected travelers demand clarification and compensation

One traveler, named David Bochy, purchased a ticket worth 1,500 Canadian dollars to travel from Calgary to Panama via Toronto, but he missed the first flight. When he tried to board the plane in Toronto to continue his journey, he was shocked to be told that his ticket had been completely canceled without any prior warning.

“Air Canada” justifies its position

“Air Canada” responded that the “No-Show Policy” is commonly applied by airlines to ensure the use of tickets according to the original terms. The company stated that this policy prevents “the resale of tickets in unauthorized ways” or ticket price manipulation, as some passengers may attempt to book cheaper tickets through indirect routes.

Criticism of this policy and calls for change

Despite “Air Canada”’s justifications, aviation experts and consumers see this policy as unfair, especially when passengers are not informed in advance of the cancellation of their bookings. Some travelers have demanded that customers be clearly alerted if there is a risk of their flights being canceled due to missing a previous flight, so they can take necessary measures.

What can travelers do?

• Contact the airline immediately if you miss the first flight, to ensure the remaining tickets are not canceled.

• Read the ticket conditions carefully to understand the policies related to flight cancellations.

• Use alternative airlines that offer more flexible policies in cases of absence from the first flights.

Conclusion

Highlighting this policy raises controversy over passenger rights versus airline policies. While “Air Canada” defends its actions, consumers are calling for more transparency and fairness to ensure they do not lose their paid tickets without prior notice.