This is How the Airlines Screwed Us During the Pandemic

Nov 4, 2024

Cherise Seucharan, a diligent reporter, uncovers the troubling reality of how Canadian airlines managed refunds during the pandemic. She reveals shocking communications showcasing collaboration between airline executives and regulators to favor the airlines. Gabor Lukács, a passionate air passenger rights advocate, highlights the significant financial impact on consumers, as billions remained unreturned. Both guests stress the need for transparency in airline regulations, contrasting Canada's lax policies with stronger protections elsewhere.

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Intro

00:00 • 2min

Unraveling the Airline Refund Debacle During the Pandemic

01:48 • 5min

Airline Refunds and Rights During the Pandemic

07:08 • 7min

Airlines, Creditors, and Consumer Rights During the Pandemic

14:21 • 6min

Airlines, Refunds, and Regulatory Dynamics

19:54 • 16min

Air Travel Challenges in Canada

35:37 • 5min

The Explosive Legacy of a Community Tradition

40:22 • 4min

When COVID hit, the airlines were sitting with billions of dollars in cash that Canadians paid for flights that were all canceled. How much of that money was refunded? Why were vouchers offered instead? And why did the transport regulator that’s supposed to uphold the rules bend them to the advantage of Air Canada and other carriers?

Reporter Cherise Seucharan has obtained newly-unearthed communications from March 2020 that show airline industry execs, credit card companies, and the transportation ministry, cooperating - perhaps collaborating, to pressure Canada’s airline watchdog to bend the rules.

Host: Jesse Brown

Credits: Cherise Seucharan (Reporter) Tristan Capacchione (Audio Editor/ Mixer), Bruce Thorson (Senior Producer), max collins (Production Manager), Jesse Brown (Editor and Publisher), Caleb Thompson (additional production assistance)

Featured guests: Gabor Lukacs

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This episode features the audio short, “The Boat Blow-Up” by Sophie Woodrooffe (Gibsons, B.C.), one of the finalists from the 2024 Local Correspondents Audio Competition, a CanadaLabs initiative.

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