WestJet has been criticized by Canada’s transport regulator for creating obstacles for travelers with disabilities by restricting some power wheelchairs from being carried on its planes. The Canadian Transportation Agency has ruled that WestJet must eliminate its 136-kilogram (300-pound) weight limit on mobility aids by July 2027.
The regulator has suggested that WestJet should utilize “spreader plates” to evenly distribute the weight of wheelchairs in the cargo hold and facilitate alternative travel arrangements with other airlines until the weight cap is lifted.
The issue was brought to light by Winnipeg resident Steven Fletcher, a former federal minister, who was prevented from flying with his custom wheelchair on a Winnipeg to Toronto flight last year. Fletcher and advocates argue that the weight restriction has restricted air travel in certain regions and discriminated against individuals with disabilities.
Fletcher criticized WestJet for marginalizing and excluding Canadians with disabilities based on an arbitrary weight limit, emphasizing that the airline should have proactively accommodated power wheelchairs as they have done in the past.
WestJet has refrained from commenting on the matter as it is still under regulatory review. The agency is expected to make a final decision on the notice period passengers using mobility aids must provide to the airline.
Last year, WestJet defended the weight limit as crucial for flight safety, citing accessibility regulations that permitted the refusal of heavier mobility aids. The company determined the 136-kilogram threshold after a technical assessment of its Boeing aircraft cargo hold weight limits.
Advocates stress the severe impact on mobility for power wheelchair users and highlight that most airlines have more lenient restrictions. The limitations imposed by WestJet and Flair Airlines on certain power wheelchairs have raised concerns among advocates, as these restrictions are not common among major North American carriers.
American Airlines faced a similar situation in 2020 but reversed its decision following advocacy efforts. The restrictions by WestJet and Flair Airlines have significant implications for travelers, especially on routes where these airlines are the primary options.
Advocates emphasize the importance of ensuring equal access to air travel for individuals with disabilities, emphasizing that mobility within one’s country is a fundamental right.