Federal Government Behind High Airfare: WestJet CEO

The CEO of WestJet says federal regulations are driving up costs for airlines and, ultimately, for passengers.

Alexis von Hoensbroech says air travel is essential, and people deserve to have low fares, but federal regulations are "completely failing" in that regard.

He says that every six months the federal government is putting a new "additional burden" on airlines.

Von Hoensbroech points to regulations around flight delays as an example.

Currently, federal regulations state that if there is a flight delay within the airline's control, is not related to safety, and results in people being more than three hours late, they must compensate them with between $400 and $1,000 depending on the situation.

He says they may be required to give the passenger $1,000 when their ticket only cost $300. He says those costs, in turn, drive up ticket prices. Von Hoensbroech asked the federal minister for an "opt out" option for passengers, but he didn't bite.