Is Air Canada Going Nut Free?

January 8, 2010 · Posted in Travel

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This ruling may be good news for travelers with food allergies who choose Air Canada. According to a recent article in the Globe and Mail, the Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA) has directed Air Canada to come up with a plan to create a buffer zone for passengers who have nut allergies. This means there will be a designated area of the plane that will be deemed “nut free”. Today, Air Canada does not have any kind of standard policy around nut allergies (AllergySense note: We have flown with Air Canada and the decision whether or not to serve nuts is solely based on the discretion of the crew.)

“The agency is concerned by the lack of a formal policy to accommodate the needs of persons with disabilities due to their allergy to peanuts or nuts,” the CTA said in a ruling made public Thursday.

Accordingly, Air Canada has 30 days to produce a plan, or challenge the decision. A spokesman for the airline said it is reviewing the directive and will respond soon. While the decision applies only to Air Canada, other airlines are expected to follow suit.

Air Canada stopped offering peanuts years ago but the airline still offers other nuts, including cashews and almonds. The company also told the CTA that it cannot guarantee that its meals are peanut-free. Other airlines have different policies: WestJet Airlines Ltd. has stopped serving nuts altogether and other companies will take them off flights if requested. What are your thoughts on this proposed action?

For more information on this situation, please read the attached articles.

APPLICATIONS by Sophia Huyer and Rhonda Nugent, on behalf of her daughter Melanie Nugent, against Air Canada.

Globe and Mail article, January 7, 2010