The Civil Resolution Tribunal (CRT) has jurisdiction (legal authority) over most small claims disputes of $5,000 and under in BC. People often file claims about disputes with airlines.
On October 30, 2025 the BC Supreme Court found that claims for flight delays, cancellations, or being denied boarding must be handled by the Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA), not the CRT. See Air Passenger Rights v WestJet Airlines Ltd., 2025 BCSC 2145.
A non-profit organization called Air Passenger Rights has appealed the decision, but the appeal process could take several months or longer.
The CRT can only deal with claims that fall within its jurisdiction. Tribunal members are independent decision-makers and will interpret court decisions as they see fit. A CRT tribunal member reviewing a small claim about a dispute with an airline may decide that the CRT does not have legal authority over the dispute and that the CRT cannot resolve it.
If you have a flight-related dispute
We can’t provide legal advice. We encourage you to get independent legal advice if you have a flight-related dispute, including advice about any applicable limitation periods or deadlines. See Where can I get legal advice and other support?
We are contacting participants in current CRT disputes to inform them of their options, including whether they wish to withdraw their claim or continue with the CRT process.