Canada's air travellers will soon be compensated for lost luggage, other inconvenience

Airlines flying in and out of Canada will be required to compensate travellers for incidents like denied boarding or lost luggage starting on July 15, Transport Minister Marc Garneau said on Friday at Pearson International Airport outside Toronto.

The passenger bill of rights, first announced two years ago, will be phased in, with more complex requirements related to flight delays and cancellations to come into force on Dec. 15, Garneau said in a statement earlier, following complaints from airlines that they would not be able to meet the July deadline.

Airlines have come under increased scrutiny from regulators and the public for incidents such as lost luggage and overbooking, after a 2017 video of a passenger being dragged off a United Airlines flight in Chicago went viral, generating public outrage.