MONTREAL- A Bulgarian passenger, Velin Paskov, has raised serious allegations against Air Canada (AC) regarding critical service failures during his travel to attend his brother’s funeral in Montreal (YUL), detailing multiple incidents that he claims endangered his health and exacerbated his emotional distress.
Paskov’s journey, which spanned multiple flights in December 2024 and January 2025, was marked by significant operational challenges that he argues went beyond standard travel inconveniences. The passenger, who suffers from Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), specifically highlighted two primary areas of concern: dietary accommodation and flight punctuality.
Photo: Clément AlloingAir Canada Passenger Discrimination
During his flight AC885 from Geneva (GVA) to Montreal on December 30, 2024, Paskov reports that Air Canada failed to provide the pre-ordered gluten-free meal crucial for managing his medical condition.
The absence of his specialized meal triggered immediate health concerns, forcing him to purchase emergency medical supplements and subsequently seek expensive medical treatments after returning to Bulgaria.
Paskov experienced substantial delays during both his outbound and return trips. At Frankfurt Airport, he was denied boarding despite the aircraft remaining stationary at the gate.
The passenger emphasized the human element of his experience, noting that he was traveling to attend his brother’s funeral and was accompanied by a pregnant passenger who was similarly prevented from boarding.
The passenger’s subsequent communications with Air Canada’s customer service produced what he characterizes as dismissive responses. A representative’s January 22, 2025 communication suggested that passengers with severe food allergies should travel with additional food, a recommendation Paskov found inadequate and seemingly blame-shifting.
As compensation for his experiences, Air Canada offered a 300 Canadian dollar voucher—a gesture Paskov considers insufficient given the medical expenses and emotional trauma he endured. His booking details, including reference number 3MAABF and ticket number 0142111560565, substantiate his account.
Photo: By BriYYZ from Toronto, Canada – Air Canada Airbus A330-300 C-GFAF, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=67447893Serious Allegations
A Bulgarian passenger has leveled serious allegations of discrimination against Air Canada, asserting that the airline’s actions violated fundamental human rights protections and systematically disregarded his medical needs during air travel.
The passenger argues that the airline’s treatment represents a clear breach of human rights principles, specifically challenging the company’s handling of passengers with specific dietary requirements. He references the Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms, highlighting provisions that guarantee individual rights to a healthful environment and protection from discriminatory practices.
Citing the charter’s Section 46.1, which stipulates that every person has the right to a healthful environment, the passenger contends that Air Canada’s actions directly undermined this fundamental principle. The specific grievance centers on the airline’s failure to provide pre-ordered gluten-free meals and what he describes as mockery of his medical condition.
The passenger emphasizes that despite the airline offering special dietary options, he was systematically denied these accommodations. He suggests this denial stems from potential discriminatory attitudes, particularly targeting individuals with medical conditions and those of certain nationalities.
Invoking Section 81 of the Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms, the passenger draws attention to provisions designed to protect individuals facing potential threats to their health and safety. The section allows for emergency measures to address discrimination, which he believes directly applies to his circumstances.
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