Canadian APPR Rules: Air Passenger Protection Regulations Explained

APPR basics: The Air Passenger Protection Regulations came into force on December 15, 2019. Administered by the Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA), the APPR applies to all flights departing from a Canadian airport and to international flights arriving in Canada operated by Canadian carriers.

The APPR distinguishes between large and small carriers for compensation purposes. Large carriers are airlines that transported more than 2 million passengers in each of the previous two years. Most major Canadian carriers (Air Canada, WestJet, Air Transat) qualify as large carriers. Small carriers pay lower compensation amounts.

For large carriers, the APPR sets the following mandatory compensation when disruptions are within the airline's control (not weather or safety-based extraordinary circumstances):

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  Flight delay of 3 hours to 5 hours 59 minutes: CAD $400 per passenger.

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  Flight delay of 6 hours to 8 hours 59 minutes: CAD $700 per passenger.

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  Flight delay of 9 or more hours: CAD $1,000 per passenger.

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  Cancellation (within airline control, less than 14 days notice): Same compensation scale based on delay at final destination.

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  Denied boarding (overbooking, within airline control): CAD $900 (0 to 6 hours delay at destination), CAD $1,800 (6 to 9 hours), CAD $2,400 (9+ hours).

Small carriers pay lower APPR compensation for the same disruption categories:

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  Delay 3 to 5 hours 59 minutes: CAD $125.

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  Delay 6 to 8 hours 59 minutes: CAD $250.

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  Delay 9 or more hours: CAD $500.

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  Denied boarding (small carrier): CAD $300 (0 to 6 hours), CAD $600 (6 to 9 hours), CAD $800 (9+ hours).

APPR compensation only applies when the disruption is within the airline's control. Disruptions outside the airline's control (weather, ATC, airport authority decisions, medical emergencies) do not trigger compensation, but care rights (meals, hotel) may still apply.

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  Within airline control (compensation applies): Overbooking, insufficient crew, maintenance issues known in advance, commercial decisions.

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  Within airline control, required for safety (safety exception): Unforeseeable maintenance issues discovered during inspection. No compensation, but care and rebooking rights apply.

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  Outside airline control: Weather, ATC restrictions, airport security incidents, pandemics. No compensation, but rebooking and 48-hour care rights apply.

Airlines must communicate the reason for disruption clearly in plain language. Vague communications that do not identify a specific cause should be challenged with the CTA.

Beyond compensation, the APPR grants passengers rebooking and refund rights when a flight is cancelled or significantly delayed.

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  Cancellation within 14 days: Right to rebooking on the next available flight (on any carrier if the airline's own schedule does not have an alternative within 9 hours) or a full refund.

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  Cancellation within airline control: Option to rebook on a comparable flight at no additional charge.

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  Delay of 3+ hours (within airline control): Right to cancel and receive a full refund if the passenger no longer wishes to travel.

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  Tarmac delay over 3 hours: Right to disembark and be rebooked on a comparable flight.

Regardless of the disruption cause, airlines must provide care during extended delays.

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  Delay of 2+ hours (any cause): Meals and beverages appropriate to the wait time. Free access to communications (phone call or internet).

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  Delay requiring overnight stay: Hotel accommodation and transport between airport and hotel.

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  Delay of 48+ hours (outside airline control): Rebooking on a comparable flight or full refund.

APPR claims must start with a formal request to the airline. You cannot go directly to the CTA without first contacting the airline.

1. 1

   Submit a written claim to the airline's customer relations department. Specify the flight, disruption, and APPR compensation amount.

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   The airline has 30 days to acknowledge and a further 30 days to provide a final response.

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   If denied or no response within 60 days, file a complaint with the CTA at otc-cta.gc.ca. The CTA facilitates mediation and can order compensation.

For Air Canada specifically, see Air Canada delay rights and APPR guide. For how APPR compares to EU261, see EU261 vs APPR: European vs Canadian flight delay rights. For a global comparison, see EU261 vs US DOT vs APPR. For US DOT rights on cross-border flights, see how to get a refund from an airline.

Common questions about Canadian APPR rules and air passenger protection regulations.