The Globe and Mail reports in its Wednesday edition that the Canadian Transportation Agency on Tuesday laid out proposed changes to the passenger rights charter, launching consultations amid skepticism from advocates. A Canadian Press dispatch to The Globe says that the reforms come after Ottawa passed legislation last month to toughen penalties on airlines. The amendments to the Air Passenger Protection Regulations spell out the circumstances when an airline would not have to compensate customers, narrowing the field so that most technical problems will no longer give carriers an out. The new rules would also allow customers to claim a refund if the government raises the risk level of travel to certain countries or if a flight disruption prevents them from completing their trip. While traffic has flowed much more smoothly this travel season, airlines including Air Canada routinely see the proportion of on-time arrivals fall below 50 per cent. John Lawford at the Public Interest Advocacy Centre cast doubt on whether the so-called safety loophole for compensation was really shut tight. Airlines can to deny customers compensation for flight cancellations or three-hour-plus delays based on safety considerations.