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In January 2008, the Canadian Transportation Agency issued a ruling that would require that airlines (Air Canada, Westjet) offer a second seat (without cost) to certain travellers with disabilities, and certain extremely obese individuals. Today, the Supreme Court of Canada dismissed the appeal (with costs going back to the respondants, i.e. CCD), effectively removing the last option the airlines had for subverting the original CTA decision.

The airlines had sought to appeal this ruling to the Federal Court of Appeal (and been denied in May), and subsequently sought to appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada.

For more information:

• Read the January 10, 2008 announcement about this decision from the Canadian Transportation Agency
• Read the decision of the CTA
• Read our May 14, 2008 announcement about the Federal Court of Appeal dismissing the case
• Read the Council of Canadians with Disabilities September 4, 2008 press release indicating that the airlines were appealing to the Supreme Court