While the use of drones is most often raised as a cautionary tale in the popular media, the commercial application of these aircraft has resulted in a rapidly expanding industry with diverse applications throughout Canada. According to Transport Canada, an estimated 193,500 drones are being flown in Canada, compared to only 37,000 “traditional” aircraft.  The recreational drone community is estimated at 140,800 operators for 2018 with a projected increase to 225,500 operators by 2025.  This rapid rise in numbers, combined with the limited skill and knowledge of many operators, has resulted in ..read more

In Eldeeb v. Delta Air Lines, Inc., 2018 WL 6435739, the District Court of Minnesota recently granted a motion to dismiss (on the basis of forum non conveniens) an action brought pursuant to the Montreal Convention.  Forum non conveniens is a legal doctrine by which a court may decline to hear a case where another court is more suitable or appropriate. Mr. Eldeeb (who suffered from pancreatic cancer) was travelling home from Minnesota to Egypt, with a layover in Paris, France.  At the time he booked his itinerary, he requested a wheelchair to assist him with disembarking the aircraft in Paris ..read more

In a previous post, we discussed regulations proposed by Transport Canada in May 2016, proposing changes to provisions in the Canadian Aviation Regulations (“CARs”), which govern commercial seaplane operations.  The proposed changes arose from recommendations made by the Transportation Safety Board of Canada following a seaplane accident that occurred in November 2009, near Saturna Island, British Columbia. The draft regulations incorporated a requirement that all passengers of commercial seaplanes be instructed to wear a personal floatation device (which may “worn” in a pouch that is attached ..read more

On October 27, 2011, an aircraft crash-landed near the Vancouver International Airport.  Six of the surviving passengers commenced a lawsuit against the aircraft operator seeking to recover damages arising from their injuries.  The passengers were flying to Kelowna to attend an annual retreat organized by an organization named “The Executive Committee” (“TEC”).  The TEC is a member-based community of over 900 chief executives, entrepreneurs, and business owners from across Canada.  The passengers were founders and CEOs of various companies.  TEC provides peer advice and support, through a “saf ..read more