No. H025/04 For release May 7, 2004 OTTAWA - The Government of Canada is amending its regulations for computer reservation systems for air travel to promote competition in the marketplace while protecting the interests of travellers. The Honourable Jim Karygiannis, P.C., M.P., Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Transport, announced today the publication of the amended Computer Reservation Systems Regulations in the Canada Gazette, Part II. "These amendments reflect the Government of Canada¿s desire to move to a more deregulated system that will protect the interests of air travellers and foster enhanced competition in the air industry," said Mr. Karygiannis. "They also recognize significant changes, such as the emergence of the Internet as an information and sales tool, that have occurred since the original regulations were put in place in June 1995." The amendments seek to address the concerns of all sectors of the air travel industry by striking an important balance within the industry through a greater reliance on market forces. For example, airlines will no longer be required to participate in all computer reservation systems operating in Canada. Rather, they will be able to decide how best to distribute and sell their air services. They should be able to negotiate better commercial terms with computer reservation systems vendors to distribute their inventories, and thus lower their costs. At the same time, the regulations will continue to ensure that travel agents have access to neutral and non-discriminatory information on behalf of consumers and that no carrier is disadvantaged in computer reservation system displays. As part of its review of the Computer Reservation Systems Regulations, Transport Canada met with members of the travel distribution industry, air carriers and other governments. Based on the results of these meetings and changes in the marketplace, the Government of Canada published proposed amendments to the regulations in the Canada Gazette, Part I on October 25, 2003. During the ensuing 30-day consultation period, Transport Canada received comments on the proposed amendments from industry and the general public. Transport Canada continued to consult following the formal consultation period, concluding with a public meeting held on February 9, 2004. Transport Canada will continue to actively monitor developments in the industry in Canada and other countries and to assess the effect of the regulations. - 30 - Contact: Brian McGregor Transport Canada Communications, Ottawa (613) 993-0055 Transport Canada is online at www.tc.gc.ca. Subscribe to news releases and speeches at apps.tc.gc.ca/listserv/ and keep up-to-date on the latest from Transport Canada. This news release may be made available in alternative formats for persons with visual disabilities.
