NOTE:  This article was written on March 8, 2026 and although I try to write content that is “evergreen” the rules and policies that surround Air Passenger Rights and also insurance can change at any time. The information here should be used as a guideline.

These kinds of events are typically outside the control of airlines. When they occur, many travellers understandably ask what their rights are.

For Canadians travelling to, from, or within Canada, passenger rights are governed by the Air Passenger Protection Regulations (APPR).

These regulations outline what airlines must do when flights are delayed or cancelled. However, the rules are different depending on whether the disruption is:

  • Within the airline’s control
  • Within the airline’s control but required for safety
  • Outside the airline’s control

Events such as geopolitical instability, airport closures, airspace restrictions, and severe weather generally fall into the category outside the airline’s control.

What Airlines Must Do When Disruptions Are Outside Their Control

Even when a disruption is outside the airline’s control, airlines still have obligations to passengers under the APPR.

If your flight is cancelled or significantly delayed, the airline must rebook you free of charge on the next available flight to your destination.

Airlines are expected to arrange replacement travel within 48 hours of the departure time on your original ticket.

The replacement flight may be, on the original airline, or on another airline that has a commercial agreement with the original airline

If the airline cannot get you to your destination within 48 hours, additional obligations apply depending on the size of the airline.

Large Airlines

Large airlines must rebook you on the next available flight on any airline, using any reasonable route to get you to your destination.

This may include departing from a nearby airport if that is necessary to get you moving again.

Airlines considered large carriers under the APPR include:

• Air Canada
• WestJet
• Air Transat
• Sunwing Airlines
• Porter Airlines
• Flair Airlines

Smaller Airlines

Smaller airlines must rebook passengers on their own flights or on partner airlines with commercial agreements using any reasonable route to the destination.  Smaller airlines have a more limited obligation as they are not required to purchase a ticket for you on an airline that is outside of their commercial agreements with other airlines.

Rebooking Option

Note that a “suitable rebooking option” is not defined by a passenger’s personal preference.  The airline must get the passenger to their destination on the next available flight, using a reasonable air route, and that flight must depart from the same airport, or an airport within a reasonable distance.  The airline will determine the routing based on operational options.

 

Refund Option

If the airline cannot provide a suitable rebooking option, passengers may choose to receive a refund for the unused portion of their ticket instead of travelling. 

However, travellers should understand an important limitation of the APPR.

When disruptions occur outside the airline’s control, airlines are not required to provide additional financial compensation.

Airlines are also generally not required to cover hotel stays, meals, or incidental expenses related to the disruption.

If a traveller accepts a refund and then books a more expensive ticket with another airline, the original airline is not required to reimburse the difference in fare.

Examples of Events Outside an Airline’s Control

The APPR identifies several types of disruptions that airlines cannot reasonably prevent. Examples include:

• War or political instability
• Airspace closures or government restrictions
• Security threats or airport security incidents
• Severe weather such as hurricanes, blizzards, or volcanic ash
• Natural disasters
• Air traffic control restrictions
• Airport operational issues outside the airline’s control
• Bird strikes or wildlife hazards
• Medical emergencies on board
• Manufacturer-issued aircraft safety directives

Many of the recent disruptions affecting international travel fall into these categories.

Why Travel Insurance Matters

Because airlines are not required to compensate passengers when disruptions occur outside their control, outside of rebooking or refund, travel insurance can play an important role in protecting travellers from additional costs.

Depending on the policy, travel insurance may cover expenses such as:

  • Trip interruption or trip delay costs
  • Hotel accommodations during extended delays
  • Meals and incidental expenses
  • New flight costs if you must rebook independently
  • Emergency medical care abroad

However, travellers should understand that insurance policies vary significantly.  Not all insurance covers all complications during travel.  A key issue here too is the difference between cancellation and interruption insurance and when you can use each.  Cancellation is before the trip begins, and interruption is once the trip begins, such as when you leave home for the airport in a taxi or your personal car.

Some policies may provide coverage for certain disruptions that airlines do not compensate for, while others may exclude them entirely.

For example, some policies exclude claims related to:

• War or civil unrest
• Government travel advisories
• Known or anticipated events

It is very important to read the policy wording carefully before travelling.

Important Insurance Timing Rule

Another critical point travellers should understand is when insurance must be purchased.

Insurance generally covers unexpected events.

If a disruption or risk becomes widely known before you purchase insurance, the insurer may treat it as a known event, which means coverage may not apply.

For example:

  • If geopolitical tensions or airport disruptions are already known when you buy insurance, a claim related to those events may not be covered.
  • Insurance purchased after a disruption becomes known may not protect against that disruption.

For this reason, many experienced travellers purchase travel insurance at the time they book their trip or shortly afterward.

We are talking more about geopolitical issues for cancellation here, but this is the same for pre-existing medical conditions that require stability, and for new medical conditions that are found prior to departure.  If the medical condition was known before purchasing insurance and you don’t meet the stability requirement, then you may not be covered.

One option to always consider today is CFAR or Cancel For Any Reason.  This insurance must typically be purchased within anywhere from 72 hours to 10 days from placing a deposit on the trip, but can compensate up to a percentage limit of any non-refundable costs of travel.  The key here is you can decide to cancel for any reason.  Any reason.

A Quick Disclaimer

Air travel regulations and insurance policies can change.

The information above reflects the Canadian Air Passenger Protection Regulations in effect at the time of writing, but travellers should always verify the latest information with the airline, the Canadian Transportation Agency, and their insurance provider.

Travel insurance coverage also varies by policy and insurer. Always review your specific policy wording to understand exactly what is covered and what exclusions apply.

 

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