Twyla Shannahan regrets the separation from her deceased husband’s ashes during a flight from Alberta to Newfoundland. The widow is demanding an inquiry following Air Canada’s temporary misplacement of her late husband’s cremated remains, which were required to be placed in checked luggage instead of carried on board.
Shannahan expressed disappointment in the treatment of her husband’s ashes, emphasizing that they are more than just belongings. She intended to scatter his ashes in the ocean in his beloved Newfoundland, as per his wishes after his passing in February. Despite the couple’s extensive global travels, Newfoundland held a special place in his heart.
To honor her husband’s wishes, Shannahan, residing in Webster, Alberta, made arrangements for a memorial in his hometown and booked a flight from Edmonton to St. John’s on June 10. Despite confirming compliance with regulations and preparing the necessary documentation, an Air Canada agent at Edmonton International Airport instructed her to place the ashes in checked baggage due to purported “new rules.”
Upon arrival in St. John’s, Shannahan discovered that the bag containing her husband’s ashes was missing, leading to distress and feelings of failure. Although the airline located the ashes in Montreal and offered to courier them, Shannahan insisted on collecting them herself, expressing concern over the airline’s handling of the situation.
In response to the incident, the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) clarified that while cremated remains are generally allowed in carry-on luggage, security screening considerations may require them to be checked in. CATSA emphasized the importance of respecting passengers and their loved ones while ensuring compliance with regulations.
Air Canada acknowledged the delay in delivering the cremated remains and issued an apology along with a $200 travel voucher as a goodwill gesture. However, Shannahan found the response unsatisfactory, feeling that the airline failed to adequately address the situation and lacked compassion towards her husband’s remains.
Despite successfully scattering her husband’s ashes in Newfoundland, Shannahan remains adamant about seeking accountability from Air Canada. She submitted a formal complaint urging the airline to investigate the matter thoroughly and provide appropriate compensation. Additionally, she called for a review of Air Canada’s protocols to prevent similar incidents affecting grieving families in the future, citing the need for improved policies and procedures.
