Air Transportation Regulations (SOR/88-58)

148. (1) Subject to subsection (2) and section 151, an air carrier shall accept for carriage as priority baggage, without charge and in addition to the free baggage allowance permitted to a passenger, the following aids, where they are required for the mobility or well-being of a person:

• (a) an electric wheelchair, a scooter or a manually operated rigid-frame wheelchair;

• (b) a manually operated folding wheelchair;

• (c) a walker, a cane, crutches or braces;

• (d) any device that assists the person to communicate better; and

• (e) any prosthesis or medical device.

(2) Where an air carrier operates an aircraft that has fewer than 60 passenger seats and the design of the aircraft does not permit the carriage of a person’s aid referred to in paragraph (1)(a), the air carrier

• (a) is not required to carry the aid; and

• (b) shall advise the person about transportation arrangements that are available for the aid.

(3) Subject to section 151, an air carrier shall permit a person in a manually operated wheelchair to remain in the wheelchair

• (a) until the person reaches the boarding gate from which the person’s flight is to depart;

• (b) where facilities permit, while the person is moving between the terminal and the door of the aircraft; or

• (c) where space and facilities permit, while the person is moving between the terminal and the passenger seat.

(4) Subject to subsection (5), an air carrier that accepts for carriage a person’s aid referred to in paragraph (1)(a), (b) or (c) shall, without charge,

• (a) disassemble and package the aid;

• (b) where the person has been required to board the aircraft in advance of other passengers pursuant to subsection 147(3), identify the aid as priority baggage;

• (c) unpackage and reassemble the aid; and

• (d) return the aid to the person promptly on arrival at the person’s destination.

(5) Where space permits, an air carrier shall, without charge, permit a person who requires

• (a) a wheelchair referred to in paragraph (1)(b) to store the wheelchair in the passenger cabin during the flight; and

• (b) a small aid referred to in paragraph (1)(c), (d) or (e) to retain the aid in the person’s custody during the flight.

149. (1) Subject to section 151, an air carrier shall accept a service animal for carriage without charge if the animal is

• (a) required by a person for assistance; and

• (b) certified, in writing, as having been trained to assist a person by a professional service animal institution.

(2) Where an air carrier accepts a service animal for carriage pursuant to subsection (1), the air carrier shall permit the animal, if the animal is properly harnessed in accordance with standards established by a professional service animal institution, to accompany the person on board the aircraft and to remain on the floor at the person’s passenger seat.