On Friday, December 13th, certain airlines in Canada sparked controversy by charging fees for carry-on luggage, prompting company executives to attend a hearing at the Canadian Parliament committee.
The executives stated that in order to remain competitive in the constantly changing market, the companies decided to levy fees on carry-on luggage for some passengers.
Earlier this month, Air Canada announced that starting from January 3rd, passengers flying on Air Canada’s North American and Caribbean routes who purchase the lowest fares will be charged a fee for carrying large carry-on luggage. Over the past few weeks, lawmakers from both Canada and the United States have criticized airlines for imposing additional fees for luggage and seat assignments, with passengers expressing their dissatisfaction on social media.
On Friday, the CEOs of Air Canada and WestJet Airlines appeared before the parliamentary committee to answer questions from lawmakers regarding airlines charging passengers for carry-on luggage.
Canadian airlines Air Transat and Porter Airlines also testified at a hearing of the Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities on Friday.
According to Reuters, Mark Galardo, Vice President of Revenue and Network Planning at Air Canada, told lawmakers that Air Canada began increasing fees to remain competitive after private competitors like WestJet Airlines made similar changes.
Affected passengers are allowed to bring one small piece of luggage, such as a computer backpack or small purse, on board, while larger carry-on suitcases need to be checked in at a cost of 35 Canadian dollars (24.58 USD).
Charging fees for carry-on luggage is part of an ongoing trend in the airline industry, with airlines increasingly relying on ancillary fees for bundled services, including checked luggage, onboard snacks, and Wi-Fi access.
Liberal Party member Angelo Iacono raised concerns at the hearing, asking, “Do you really think this is acceptable when Canadians are feeling the pinch in their wallets?”
However, airline executives argued that by offering fare options with different service levels for passengers, they are actually making travel more affordable for Canadians.
Air Canada CEO Michael Rousseau told the committee, “We might all agree that competition is the best way to ensure Canadians get the best service and prices. Competition allows customers to compare products and lets the market determine which products will be successful.”
“We (Air Canada) must ensure that our fares are comparable to those of our competitors while providing customers with flexibility to pay for the services they value,” he added.
In the United States, although United Airlines charges a $35 baggage fee for its lowest fare passengers, American Airlines and Delta Airlines do not charge economy class passengers for carry-on luggage.
(This article draws on reports from Reuters and The Canadian Press)