In a recent ruling by the British Columbia Civil Resolution Tribunal, Porter Airlines has been held accountable for denying a passenger, Dawn McCormick, boarding due to her flight tickets lacking her date of birth. The airline argued that the travel agent was at fault for this oversight, but the court determined that Porter should have ensured all necessary information was included before issuing the ticket. As a result, Porter has been ordered to reimburse McCormick for her rebooking costs, totaling $2,030.98, which includes pre-judgment interest and court fees.

The case arose when McCormick booked a trip to Madrid that involved a segment on Porter Airlines from Vancouver to Montreal, followed by a connecting flight with Air Transat. When she and her friend arrived for the Vancouver departure, Porter Airlines refused to let them board, citing the lack of birthdates on their tickets as the reason. This refusal occurred despite acknowledging the sequence of events where it was clear that the airline was responsible for ensuring the tickets met all necessary criteria for travel.

This ruling highlights the importance of clarity and diligence in the travel booking process. Passengers depend on airlines to uphold their responsibilities in ensuring tickets are valid and comply with travel regulations. The decision serves as a reminder to both travelers and airlines about the necessity of maintaining accurate information on tickets, as well as the potential consequences of failure to do so, which can include financial liability and reputational damage to the airline involved.