Canadian Government Suspends Air Canada Firearm Handling Fee

In response to a complaint filed jointly by SCI and the NRA, the Canadian Transportation Agency today suspended the $50 fee that Air Canada has attempted to levy for the transport of a firearm. Air Canada had announced that effective June 1, a fee of $65 would be assessed for persons traveling on the airline. The airline reduced the fee to $50 amid outcry from hunting and conservation groups, but confirmed its intention to levy this discriminatory and excessive fee beginning June 5. SCI and others filed a formal complaint with the Canadian government, and today, the Canadian Transportation Agency served notice of a tariff complaint upon the airline and suspended the fee for international flights. Hunters and other passengers traveling with firearms internationally on Air Canada now cannot be charged this fee until the complaint has been resolved. No word yet on whether domestic airlines will follow suit. SCI will keep you posted as this story progresses.