Air Canada Files Suit Over New Charter Flight Regulations
Air Canada Thursday filed suit in U.S. District Court in DC against U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood "over his department's decision to ban the airline's sports team charters from making multiple stops in the United States," according to Paul Waldie of the GLOBE & MAIL. Air Canada in the suit claimed the U.S. decision is "wreaking havoc on the hockey season, may damage the National Basketball Association season, and exposes Air Canada to claims from its customers." The decision has "created a nightmare" for the NHL, which starts its season October 1, as teams "will not be able to play more than one game in the U.S. or Canada without first returning to their home country" if the dispute is not resolved. The dispute also affects the NBA and "has disrupted" the Blue Jays. Waldie notes Air Canada subsidiary Jetz "has built up a lucrative business ferrying sports teams to games," as Jetz "serves 10 NHL clubs, including all six Canadian-based teams," as well as the Bucks. Air Canada said if the U.S. decision stands, Jetz will go from being a "profitable division within Air Canada to being not viable." Air Canada noted that the Ducks "have already dropped Jetz, and several other hockey teams, including the St. Louis Blues and the Bruins, have indicated they may drop the charter service because of the U.S. decision" (GLOBE & MAIL, 9/11). Air Canada in court documents alleged that "several U.S. carriers and 'their allies' began to complain last year after Air Canada signed up the Bruins and grew louder when" the Bucks became a client. Air Canada "maintains it was within its legal rights to serve the U.S. teams, noting the Canada-U.S. 'Open Skies' accord makes an exception in the case of sports teams" (TORONTO STAR, 9/11).
TAKING FLIGHT: Transport Canada "has approved the Blue Jays' travel plans for the final two road trips of the season after the team changed the destination of one flight to comply" with the new rules. The Blue Jays, who fly with Miami Air Int'l, Friday begin a four-game series against the Tigers in Detroit and "had intended to fly to Windsor before crossing the border by bus." But "unable to use an American carrier for a domestic flight in Canada, the Jays changed their destination to Detroit and were granted approval" (TORONTO STAR, 9/10).
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