The Globe and Mail reports in its Monday edition that the federal government is rewriting the rules on how airlines must treat passengers, making it harder for the carriers to dodge responsibility when flights are cancelled or delayed and raising the fines for violators. The Globe's Eric Atkins writes that airlines that cancel or delay a flight will no longer have a "safety" loophole that automatically absolves them of giving passengers compensation, free food and other assistance in some cases. The new rules, which would go into effect Sept. 30, include raising the penalty for violating the regulations to $250,000 from the current $25,000. Under the current system, flight cancellations, delays or denials of boarding are grouped into three categories: within the airline's control; within the airline's control but required for safety; and outside the airline's control. In the latter two cases, passengers have not been entitled to compensation for their inconveniences. The new rules eliminate these three categories. The flight problem is presumed to be within the airline's control and not a safety issue unless the carrier can prove otherwise, the legislation reads, similar to the rules European airlines must follow.