The Globe and Mail reports in its Wednesday edition that the premiers of the four Atlantic provinces say proposed changes to the rules that dictate how airlines treat passengers when flights are delayed or cancelled will unfairly burden the carriers and lead to reduced services in Eastern Canada. The Globe's Eric Atkins writes the feds introduced planned changes to the Air Passenger Protection Regulations last year that would broaden the circumstances in which passengers are owed compensation for delays, and place the burden on airlines to show why disruptions are outside their control. The amendments would also give passengers the right to refunds if their flights depart at least three hours late. In a letter to Transport Minister Pablo Rodriguez, the premiers warn that the changes under consideration would drive up seat prices as airlines try to recover the higher costs of complying with the law; the costs might also discourage airlines from offering or expanding flights at some smaller regional airports. "We are concerned that the proposed regulatory changes are likely to mean even further increased costs for Atlantic residents as airlines look to recoup the costs of regulatory compliance," the Jan. 12 letter says.