Flight Disruptions

Table of Contents

Flight Disruptions

At Perimeter Aviation and Bearskin Airlines, we believe your journey is not just about reaching your destination but enjoying every step of the way. Our commitment to transparency and passenger satisfaction is important, from a lost bag to an untimely delay, we will help you navigate flight interruptions confidently. We’re here to get you where you’re going safely, on time.

Canadian Passenger Rights

If you are denied boarding, your flight is cancelled or delayed for at least two hours, or your baggage is lost or damaged, you may be entitled to certain standards of treatment and compensation. The Air Passenger Protection Regulations (APPR) outlines requirements such as treatment standards, communication, and compensation for all carriers when instances of delays, cancellations, and denied boarding occur. It also outlines lost baggage guidelines.

For more information visit the Canadian Transportation Agency website.


Delays and Cancellations 

Overview

Delays, cancellations, and diversions can test the patience of any traveller. We work hard to get our passengers to their destinations on time and as scheduled. If a flight is delayed, cancelled, or diverted we will do our best to minimize the inconvenience and keep you well-informed.

Communicating With You

When there is a departure delay of more than 15 minutes on a Perimeter Aviation or Bearskin Airlines flight, we will keep you informed and will continue to do so every 30 minutes until a new departure time has been set. Ways we will communicate with you:

  • By email if you have provided the contact information at the of booking
  • By text if you have checked-in online and enrolled in text updates
  • Through an audible announcement in the airport
  • On perimeter.ca through the Flight Status
  • On display screens in airports where available 

Persons with disabilities may choose their preferred method of communication within the existing options provided by Perimeter Aviation LP 

These notifications apply to Perimeter Aviation and Bearskin Airlines operated flights only and include the reason for the delay or cancellation, and recourse available, when applicable. 

No notifications are sent if the flight is on time. To view your flight time, check the Flight Status, the airport departure screens, and listen for airport audio announcements.

Policies for communicating flight delays and cancellations can be different between airlines. If you’re travelling on a flight operated by a carrier other than Perimeter Aviation or Bearskin Airlines, we recommend that you visit the airline’s website to learn about their policies, fees and terms and conditions of carriage.

Determining Compensation Eligibility

Compensation eligibility is based partially on the arrival delay reason, which may not necessarily be the same as the departure delay reason. The final confirmation of the arrival delay may take up to 30 days for finalization, as we investigate and confirm all facts that contributed to the flight disruption. 

Once the final arrival delay reason is confirmed, our Customer Service Centre will be able to action your inquiry.

You can inquire about compensation eligibility by calling our Customer Service Centre after your flight has arrived at its final destination. Simply provide your booking reference number, your first and last name, and the date of your flight with the disruption.

Why Delay Reasons May Change

There may be other events/factors that impact your journey that may not be immediately obvious at the time the departure delay is communicated. Our team investigates every delay to determine the root cause. 

Unfortunately, there can be scenarios in which multiple flights on an itinerary can be delayed, with differing reasons. Whenever there are multiple delays, the eligibility for compensation is based on the disruption with the most significant contributing factor.


Compensation Guidelines

Though we always strive to be on time, delays and cancellations happen for reasons:

  1. Outside Perimeter Aviation and Bearskin Airlines’ control
  2. Within Perimeter Aviation and Bearskin Airlines’ control, but required for safety
  3. Within Perimeter Aviation and Bearskin Airlines’ control

The outcome of what happens when your flight is delayed or cancelled depends on the circumstances of your flight interruption. Following are the expectations for all situations.

1. Outside of Our Control

Your flight may be delayed for cancelled due to reasons beyond our control. For example, this could include a bird strike, a guest may have a medical issue, or weather events may interfere with the safe operation of your flight.

These delays are not eligible for compensation under the APPR regulations.

However, if you flight is delayed for three (3) hours or more, or cancelled due to reasons outside of our control, we will:

  1. Provide a confirmed reservation for no additional charge.
    1. on the next available Perimeter Airlines or Bearskin Aviation flight or on a flight operated by a non-Perimeter Aviation airline if the next available flight is travelling on a reasonable air route from the airport at which you are located to your original destination and departs within forty-eight (48) hours of your original departure time.
  2. To the extent possible, provide comparable travel arrangements to the original ticket and will not ask you to pay additional fees if the alternative travel arrangements are in a higher fare brand. If the fare brand is lower than what was provided on your original flight, we will refund the difference.
  3. If the alternative travel arrangements do not meet your needs, we will refund the unused portion of your ticket to your account with no expiry.
  4. If you are no longer at your original airport of departure and your travel no longer serves a purpose because of the delay, we will reaccommodate you on the next available flight to your original destination at no additional charge.

Standards of Treatment

If you are notified of a delay less than 12 hours before your departure time indicated on your ticket, and you’ve waited 2 hours after your original departure, Perimeter Aviation/Bearskin Airlines will provide reasonable food, drink, and communication means when possible.

Following is a breakdown of meal compensation you may be entitled to:

Length of DelayCompensation
2 hours Not Applicable
3 hours Meal Voucher
4-7.9 hours Not Applicable
8+ hours Not Applicable

Should you need to stay overnight due to the delay anywhere other than your origin or destination, we will arrange for your accommodation and transportation to and from this accommodation. Overnights required at origin may be entitled to the same. Some benefits may not be provided if doing so would further delay your journey further.

To access any of these amenities, please speak with a Customer Service Agent at the check-in counter or gate.

Third-party Bookings and Partners 

For flights booked through third parties or partner airlines, including interline tickets or bookings via travel agents, airline partners, travel sites, or AEROPLAN, please contact them directly for re-accommodation or alternate travel arrangements. They are best equipped to assist you.

2. Within Our Control But Required for Safety

Situations can be complex and have multiple causes when a disruption occurs. We are required to inform you of the reason for a flight disruption. Please be aware that the reasons provided for a flight disruption may change as the situation evolves, new issues arise, or new information is received.

These delays are not eligible for compensation under the APPR regulations.

When your flight is delayed or cancelled for a reason within our control but required for safety, you can expect the following:

  1. Provide a confirmed reservation for no additional charge:
  2. To the extent possible, provide comparable travel arrangements to the original ticket and will not ask you to pay additional fees if the alternative travel arrangements are in a higher class of service. If the class of service is lower than what was provided on your original flight, we will refund the difference.
  3. If the alternative travel arrangements do not meet your needs, we will refund the unused portion of your ticket to your account with no expiry.
  4. If you are no longer at your original airport of departure and your travel no longer serves a purpose because of the delay, we will reaccommodate you on the next available flight to your original destination at no additional charge.

Standards of Treatment

If you are notified of a delay less than 12 hours before your departure time indicated on your ticket, and you’ve waited 2 hours after your original departure, Perimeter Aviation/Bearskin Airlines will provide reasonable food, drink, and communication means when possible.

Should you need to stay overnight due to the delay anywhere other than your origin or destination, we will arrange for your accommodation and transportation to and from this accommodation. Overnights required at origin may be entitled to the same. Some benefits may not be provided if doing so would further delay your journey further.

Delays or cancellations caused by controllable but safety-necessary situations, where Perimeter Aviation has taken reasonable steps to lessen the impact, are considered controllable for safety reasons.

To access any of these amenities, please speak with a Customer Service Agent at the check-in counter or gate.

Third-party Bookings and Partners 

For flights booked through third parties or partner airlines, including interline tickets or bookings via travel agents, airline partners, travel sites, or AEROPLAN, please contact them directly for re-accommodation or alternate travel arrangements. They are best equipped to assist you.

3. Within Our Control, but Not Required for Safety

Your flight can be delayed or cancelled for reasons within our control. 

If your Perimeter Aviation or Bearskin Airlines flight is delayed for three (3) hours or more, or cancelled due to reasons within our control, we will:

  1. Provide a confirmed reservation for no additional charge:
  2. To the extent possible, provide comparable travel arrangements to the original ticket and will not ask you to pay additional fees if the alternative travel arrangements are in a higher class of service. If the class of service is lower than what was provided on your original flight, we will refund the difference.
  3. If the alternative travel arrangements do not meet your needs, we will credit the unused portion of your ticket to your account with no expiry.
  4. If you are no longer at your original airport of departure and your travel no longer serves a purpose because of the delay, we will reaccommodate you on the next available flight to your original destination at no additional charge.

Standards of Treatment

If you are notified of a delay less than 12 hours before your departure time indicated on your ticket, and you’ve waited 2 hours after your original departure, Perimeter Aviation/Bearskin Airlines will provide reasonable food, drink, and communication means when possible.

Following is a breakdown of meal compensation you may be entitled to:

Length of DelayCompensation
2 hours Snack and Drink
3 hours Not Applicable
4-7.9 hours Meal Voucher (applicable to time of day)
8+ hours Meal Voucher (applicable to time of day)

Should you need to stay overnight due to the delay anywhere other than your origin or destination, we will arrange for your accommodation and transportation to and from this accommodation. Overnights required at origin may be entitled to the same. Some benefits may not be provided if doing so would further delay your journey further.

To access any of these amenities, please speak with a Customer Service Agent at the check-in counter or gate.

Compensation

If you are informed 14 days or less before the departure time on your original ticket that the arrival of your flight at the destination indicated will be delayed, you are entitled to compensation. Please note that we are considered a small carrier and as such follow the APPR guidelines in accordance with the small carrier category.

Compensation must meet the following eligibility criteria:

  • Your flight disruption was less than one year ago. You have exactly one year from the date of your flight to submit a request in writing.
  • You have not been paid denied boarding compensation. You can only apply once for a flight disruption. 
  • You have not been paid by other means of compensation. You will be asked to indicate in writing which form of compensation you prefer. Should you choose an airline voucher, you will not be eligible for APPR compensation for the same flight at a later date.

Compensation is based on the length of your delay, which is determined by your arrival time at the final destination of your ticket. 

Length of DelayEligible Compensation
3 to 6 hours $125
6 to 9 hours $250
9 hours or more $500

If you are informed 14 days or less before the departure time shown on your original ticket that the arrival of your flight at the destination indicated on your ticket will be delayed and your ticket is refunded, we will compensate you in the amount of $125.00, if compensation is requested by you.

APPR Compensation Payment

Compensation is distributed in a monetary form like cheque or bank transfer into your banking account. It can also be applied to your Perimeter Aviation/Bearskin Airlines account at your request.

Compensation claims may take up to 30 days to process. Within this time period, Perimeter Aviation will respond to your request with either a confirmation or denial, along with justification and payment when warranted.

Other Forms of Compensation Payment

Other forms of compensation may be offered. They will have a higher value than what is required through APPR regulations and will never expire. Other forms of compensation are at the discretion of Perimeter Aviation. 

We will notify you in writing of the amount of APPR compensation you are owed and the value of any other form of compensation. You always have the right to choose between the forms of compensation offered. If you choose an Other Form of Compensation, you must confirm this in writing.

Third-party Bookings and Partners 

For flights booked through third parties or partner airlines, including interline tickets or bookings via travel agents, airline partners, travel sites, or AEROPLAN, please contact them directly for re-accommodation or alternate travel arrangements. They are best equipped to assist you.


Denied Boarding

Overview

Inconveniencing our passengers is something we always aim to avoid. Nonetheless, there are occasions, driven by operational needs or commercial overbooking, when accommodating all passengers with confirmed reservations becomes challenging. An example of this could be the need to swap a larger aircraft for a smaller one because of maintenance requirements, which unfortunately reduces the available seating capacity.

In the unfortunate event that this might happen, we ask for volunteers first, offering compensation to those who choose to voluntarily fly at a later time. If there aren’t enough volunteers, our reservation system selects the number of passengers based on boarding priorities.

Communicating With You

If you are denied boarding, we will always provide written confirmation of any compensation that you may be eligible for.

Determining Compensation Eligibility

Compensation eligibility and the amount you may be eligible to receive for denied boarding is based on:

  • The reason why you were denied boarding and whether it was within our control or for safety reasons
  • The length of your arrival delay at your final destination
  • Other key eligibility factors

You are not eligible for denied boarding compensation

  • if you do not check-in on time, or 
  • if you arrive at the gate late even if you completed check-in on time.

Please ensure you review the check-in and boarding times prior to your flight. Policies for check-in may be different between airlines. If you are travelling on a flight operated by a carrier other Perimeter Aviation/Bearskin Airlines, we recommend you visit that airline’s website to learn about the policies, fees, and terms and conditions.

Compensation Guidelines

There are three scenarios that could cause denied boarding. Only one of them is eligible for compensation.

  1. Situations outside of Perimeter Aviation and Bearskin Airlines’ control
  2. Situations within Perimeter Aviation and Bearskin Airlines’ control, but required for safety
  3. Situations within Perimeter Aviation and Bearskin Airlines’ control, but not required for safety

The outcome of what happens when your flight is delayed or cancelled depends on the reason for denied boarding. Following are the expectations for all situations.

  1. Outside of Our control
    If a government, regulatory, or security requirement results in an overbooking situation, you are not eligible for compensation.
  2. Within Our Control, but Required for Safety
    Could include the substitution of a smaller aircraft due to unforeseen maintenance or changes due to weight distribution. You are not eligible for compensation.
  3. Within Our Control, but Not Required for Safety
    Could include commercial overbooking. Subject to the following factors, you are eligible for compensation.

Compensation

Compensation must meet the following eligibility criteria:

  • You check-in on time. 
  • You arrived at the boarding gate on time.
  • Your flight was not cancelled. If your flight was cancelled, you cannot claim denied boarding. However, you may be eligible for cancelled flight compensation.

Compensation is based on the length of your delay, which is determined by your original arrival time at the final destination of your ticket. 

Length of DelayEligible CompensationOptional Travel Voucher
0 to 6 hours $900$1100 Perimeter/Bearskin Travel Voucher
6 to 9 hours $1800$2000 Perimeter/Bearskin Travel Voucher
9 hours or more $2400$2600 Perimeter/Bearskin Travel Voucher

Compensation Payment

We will issue the compensation total withing 48 hours of denied boarding, Monday-Friday, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm. 

You always have the right to choose between the forms of compensation offered. If you choose an Optional Travel Voucher, you must confirm this in writing.

Standards of Treatment

If you are notified of a delay less than 12 hours before your departure time indicated on your ticket, and you’ve waited 2 hours after your original departure, Perimeter Aviation/Bearskin Airlines will provide reasonable food, drink, and communication means when possible.

Following is a breakdown of meal compensation you may be entitled to:

Length of DelayCompensation
2 hours Snack and Drink
3 hours Not Applicable
4-7.9 hours Meal Voucher (applicable to time of day)
8+ hours Meal Voucher (applicable to time of day)

Should you need to stay overnight due to the delay anywhere other than your origin or destination, we will arrange for your accommodation and transportation to and from this accommodation. Overnights required at origin may be entitled to the same. Some benefits may not be provided if doing so would further delay your journey further.

To access any of these amenities, please speak with a Customer Service Agent at the check-in counter or gate.


Tarmac Delays

During a Tarmac Delay, which occurs either when your flight is prepared for takeoff (with the aircraft doors closed) or after landing (with the doors still closed) but you remain onboard, Perimeter Aviation is committed to ensuring your comfort. Our approach includes:

  1. Perimeter Aviation will ensure access to lavatories that are in working condition (if available on the aircraft), maintain appropriate ventilation, cooling, or heating within the aircraft, passengers are informed about the status of the delay, and offer food and drink with consideration for the delay’s duration, the time of day, and the airport’s location.
  2. Perimeter Aviation will give passengers the ability to communicate with individuals outside the aircraft at no extra cost, where possible, by enabling the use of mobile devices. However, safety regulations may restrict the use of communication devices under certain circumstances.
  3. In cases where a passenger urgently requires medical assistance during a tarmac delay, Perimeter Aviation will take all reasonable steps to facilitate access to medical assistance.

Should a tarmac delay exceed three (3) hours, Perimeter Aviation/Bearskin Airlines will offer passengers the option to disembark, provided it is practical and safe to do so. Disembarkation may not be feasible due to safety, security, or air traffic reasons. 

Passengers will not be given the option to disembark if takeoff is anticipated to occur within three hours and forty-five minutes from when the aircraft doors were initially closed.

If the aircraft returns to the gate for disembarking, passengers with disabilities, along with their support persons and/or service animals, will be given priority to disembark first if they choose to do so, and when feasible.