Taylor Swift fan left denied compensation after WestJet flight cancellation

globalnews.ca:

WestJet has denied compensation to a devout Taylor Swift fan whose cancelled flight triggered a 10-hour drive through the night from Prince George to make the singer’s shows in Vancouver last month.Carol Hansson says she and other Swifties on the flight incurred hundreds of dollars in costs after the cancellation less than 24 hours before Swift took the stage for the first of three concerts at BC Place.She says the Calgary-based airline told her the cancellation was due to “unplanned aircraft maintenance” and was required for safety purposes.WestJet confirms that in a written response and says Hansson is therefore not eligible for compensation under Canada’s Air Passenger Protection Regulations.The regulations say that in situations “within airline control but required for safety purposes,” airlines have obligations for a passenger’s treatment and completion of their itinerary — but not compensation.Hansson says WestJet delayed the evening flight from Prince George for about five hours, before cancelling the Dec. 5 service.Airlines are also obliged under the regulations to offer alternate travel in the same class of service for disruptions beyond three hours, but Hansson says she was offered a Dec.

8 flight that would have meant missing all three of Swift’s shows.Instead, she joined a group of other passengers to rent a car for the 750-kilometre drive, setting off at midnight and eventually making it to Vancouver on Dec. 6 ahead of the first show that night.Hansson attended all three concerts at BC Place.She said the cost for her unused accommodation for Dec.