Canadian Transportation Agency Orders WestJet to Eliminate 300-Pound Wheelchair Weight Cap

CALGARY, AB — The Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA) issued a binding regulatory decision Thursday afternoon in Council of Canadians with Disabilities v. WestJet, ordering Canada’s second-largest airline to permanently rescind its 300-pound maximum weight cap on battery-powered wheelchairs and mobility devices.

Accessible Transportation Standards and Undue Barriers

The CTA determination found that WestJet’s restrictive weight policy contravenes the Accessible Transportation for Persons with Disabilities Regulations (ATPDR) enacted under the Canada Transportation Act. The tribunal rejected the carrier’s arguments that cargo baggage lifters and regional aircraft cargo hold dimensions prevented safe handling of heavy power chairs, establishing that modern motorized mobility equipment routinely exceeds 350 pounds.

The agency mandated that WestJet upgrade ground baggage handling equipment and revise cargo loading guidelines across its Boeing 737 and regional fleet no later than July 1, 2027.

Accessibility Advocates and Airline Commitment

Disability rights organizations across Canada celebrated the decision as a major human rights milestone, noting that arbitrary equipment weight caps effectively barred thousands of motorized wheelchair users from air travel.

WestJet confirmed it accepts the tribunal's findings and has initiated procurement for heavy-duty mechanized cargo lift systems at major Canadian airport hubs.

Regulatory Compliance Reporting

WestJet must submit quarterly progress reports on ground equipment upgrades and staff accessibility training to the CTA starting December 1, 2026.