Until August 1, 2015, the Canadian Aviation Regulations
(the "CARS") required at least one flight attendant for
every 40 passengers on board a commercial aircraft. In 2013,
Transport Canada (the regulator of aircraft operators) granted
exemptions to several carriers, including Sunwing Airlines,
allowing them to operate with a ratio of one flight attendant for
every 50 passenger seats. European and U.S. carriers were already
permitted to operate under a 1:50 ratio.
The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) represents flight
attendants employed by several Canadian airlines. Over the past few
years, CUPE has voiced strong opposition to the exemptions granted
by Transport Canada. As mentioned above, the CARS were amended as
of August 1, 2015, and now permit air operators to elect between
the 1:40 ratio and the 1:50 ratio. If the operator chooses the 1:50
ratio, it is required to meet additional safety sensitive
requirements.
