Following Air Canada's decision to more than double airfares for pets jetting across the country, Calgary dog owner Kirsty Pearson is boycotting the airline and calling on others to follow suit.
Starting today on all Air Canada flights, pet owners must pony up $105 one-way -- up from $40 one-way -- to fly their four-legged friends throughout Canada. "For that price, I might as well buy her a seat on the plane," Pearson said of her three-year-old border collie, Kixx, which flies half a dozen times a year to compete in dog shows.
"They've just cut themselves out of the market. I won't be flying Air Canada."
Pearson added many local dog owners have expressed outrage at the jacked-up pet fares.
"Everybody's talking about it," said Pearson, who also flies regularly with her other dogs, a cocker spaniel and a Bichon frise.
Air Canada spokeswoman Angela Mah said the airline has hiked its pet airfares on domestic flights to offset "unrelenting" fuel costs.
"With oil at record levels, it was absolutely critical for us to realign all of our special services to reflect the actual cost of that service," said Mah.
"What we've done really does follow similar steps taken by many other North American carriers."
Upping the price of cross-Canada airfares for pets has enabled the airline to keep passenger fares as low as possible, she added.
"Our customers want that," said Mah.
Under the new rules, pets weighing more than 32 kilograms will be subject to cargo rates instead of paying a flat airfare. Cargo rates are based on the dimensions and weight of the kennel with the pet inside, as well as the distance to the destination point.
But pet owners will be shelling out less to fly their pets into the United States under the altered fee structure.
That's because the airline has created a uniform airfare of $105 for pets travelling in Canada and the United States. It used to cost $110 to fly a pet across the border.
WestJet Airlines Ltd. has no plans to increase its pet fares, said airline spokeswoman Gillian Bentley.
Pet travel with WestJet costs $40 one-way within Canada and the continental United States, regardless of size, weight and the distance to the destination point, said Bentley.
Also starting today, Air Canada has reduced its free baggage allowance on all flights in a bid to burn less fuel by carrying less weight.
That means travellers will have to pack lighter or risk forking out more money at the check-in counter.
Under the changes, Air Canada passengers are allowed to check in two bags weighing up to 23 kilograms, or one bag weighing 32 kilograms. That's down from two 32-kilogram bags or one 45-kilogram bag.
Mah said the reduced free bag allowance is still "very generous" and in line with other carriers.
October 12, 2005 CALGARY HERALD
