Two major Canadian airlines seeking to overturn a lower court's decision awarding a passenger compensation for a cancelled flight have had their appeal rejected.

The ruling, handed down by the Federal Court of Appeal Monday, hinged on a July 8, 2022, decision from the Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA) that found the cancellation of a 2021 WestJet flight from Regina to Ottawa — caused by a crew shortage — was within the airline’s control and not required for safety purposes.

The agency had awarded passenger Owen Lareau $1,000 in compensation for his 21-hour flight delay.

In a unanimous ruling, a three-judge appeals panel upheld the CTA’s decision, finding the agency did not err in its interpretation of Canada’s Air Passenger Protection Regulations — established in 2019 to specify th

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