Passenger rights company claims it’s not allowed to advertise at YVR

RICHMOND (NEWS 1130) – Vancouver International Airport is clarifying its position after accusations from a Montreal-based company that it’s not being allowed to advertise at the main terminal.

FlightClaim.ca says it helps travellers understand their rights and claim “fair financial compensation” from airlines for things like travel delays and cancellations. It explains it’s being denied the ability to put up ads at YVR.

“We know from experience that very few Canadian travellers are aware of their rights to compensation in the event of certain air travel delays, and even fewer seek the compensation to which they are entitled,” company CEO Jacob Charbonneau wrote in a statement. “This move by the airport means air travel passengers will continue to be kept in the dark about what they might be rightfully entitled to under the law.”

However, YVR says it is a private not-for-profit organization that doesn’t get any government funding and it’s “financially independent,” so it holds the right to choose which companies are approved to advertise.

“We receive a high volume of advertising proposals and we evaluate each based on compatibility, mutual cooperation and respect for all airport users including passengers, tenants, concessionaires, service providers, suppliers and business partners. FlightClaim’s business does not currently align with these guiding principles and therefore they were not permitted to place advertisements at YVR,” Scott Norris, vice president of commercial development, tells NEWS 1130.

FlightClaim admits it’s assuming YVR’s decision is based on fear, because the airport authority is facing pressure from airlines not to approve advertisements like that.

“Given the current lack of public knowledge about air traveler compensation rights and low claim rates in Canada, airlines benefit financially and have a vested interest in public knowledge not increasing,” Charbonneau said.

This isn’t the first time FlightClaim has been turned down. Last summer, the Pearson International in Toronto made the same move of refusing the advertisements while the airport in Montreal approved and then pulled the ads.

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