Friday, September 16, 2011 - North Shore News - A11
Another airline sued for ‘tax’ Japan Airlines fifth to be hit with lawsuit over hidden ticket fees Jane Seyd jseyd@nsnews.com
A North Vancouver businessman has launched a lawsuit against a second airline, alleging that Japan Airlines Co. Ltd. charged him a “tax” on an airline ticket that was not a tax at all, but simply an extra fee. Ahmet Kadioglu filed the lawsuit against the airline in B.C. Supreme Court Aug. 29. Last month he filed a similar claim against another airline, Cathay Pacific. In his most recent statement of claim, Kadioglu said he bought a ticket from Japan Airlines on Nov. 11, 2010 for return travel to Tokyo’s Narita Airport. The cost of the ticket was US$746. But Kadioglu said he paid almost $300 more for the final price of the ticket, including US$222 for a special tax or fee. Kadioglu has argued in his lawsuit the airline engaged in deceptive business practices when it charged him that
amount because the money was not a tax or fee being levied by government or a third party — such as an airport authority — but was “simply additional monies charged, collected and retained (by the airline) for its own use.” Kadioglu’s lawyer, James Poyner, is asking the courts to certify both cases as class-action lawsuits. He is also asking the courts to demand the airlines pay back customers all amounts they paid that were falsely represented as taxes over the past six years. Japan Airlines is the fifth airline to be hit with a lawsuit over the tax issue. Poyner has previously filed lawsuits against British Airways, Lufthansa and Air Canada, alleging similar practices. Poyner said previously that airlines’ labelling extra fees as taxes would be similar to a client coming into Poyner’s office and getting charged an extra “tax” of $100, which really just went to paying the lawyer’s office rent. Airlines have got away with the practice, he said, because people are used to paying taxes and haven’t questioned it. Poyner said the extra fees also make it very difficult for consumers to compare airline ticket prices that usually don’t include them in advertised fares. None of the claims in the lawsuits have yet been proven in court. Japan Airlines has not yet filed a statement of defence.
the place to rock
Teen tourist flown from Seymour after fall James Weldon
jweldon@nsnews.com
A teen touring the North Shore from Finland had a close call late last week after she fell headfirst onto rocks on Mount Seymour. The 15-year-old was hiking back from the mountain’s first peak with classmates just before noon Thursday when she lost her
footing. She tumbled just a short distance onto a boulder, but took the full impact on her head, knocking herself unconscious, according to rescuers. When paramedics and volunteers arrived on scene, the victim was still semi-conscious and showing signs of severe concussion. A North Shore Rescue flight team airlifted the teen to a waiting air ambulance, which took her on to hospital. No update on the victim’s condition has been released.
Peake & Richmond Insurance would like to welcome
Calvary Chapel
Sandy Maitland Garnham
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formerly of Maitland Insurance Ltd. to our team of professionals.
Teaching through the Bible, verse to verse chapter to chapter Currently in the book of Acts
We represent 10 of Canada’s largest Insurers, including ICBC
Sunday - 10:00am 144 E. 22nd Street, North Vancouver • www.ccnorthvan.com 604.250.2368
Insurance Specialists Serving the North Shore or Over 50 Years
New to the neighborhood? Looking for balance, meaning & peace?
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Sunday, September 18 for
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(3201 Mtn Hwy, across from LV school) We’re thrilled to welcome our new Minister for Children, Youth & Families Christina Kinch
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Key Insurance Services Church not your thing? Resuming Friday, Sept. 16 at 7:30pm, Friday Night Live is a weekly improv event that weaves together audience suggestions, music and story sure to leave you uplifted! “surprise” guest artist each week, too. Check it out!
Curling Rocks! You’ve watched the Olympic curlers and thought,“I should try that.” Now, here’s your chance!
Learn to Curl at the Curling Open House
(Free demos or you can pre-register for classes)
September 27, 28, 29 Juniors (8-18) 4:00-5:30 pm Adults (OVER 18) 7:00-8:30 pm
CURLING LEAGUES Season Starts Monday, October 31 DAYTIME
LADIES Mon & Thur @ 9:30am NORWESTERS (MEN) Tue &Thur @ 1:00pm SENIOR MEN Fri @ 1:00pm HIGH SCHOOL JUNIORS Wed @ 4:00pm ELEMENTARY SCHOOL JUVENILES (8-12YRS OLD) Fri @ 4:00pm
EVENINGS
LADIES Wed @ 7:00pm MEN Mon @ 6:45pm (2 DRAWS) MIXED & OPEN Tue & Fri @7:00pm & Thur @ 6:45pm
WEEKENDS
ENGINEERS Sat @ 8:30am PARTY NIGHT FOR NEWBIES & OLDIES Sat @ 7:00pm YOUTH/UNIVERSITY LEAGUE Sun @ 6:00pm
Family drop-in Sundays @ 3:00pm League registration on now! For more information and curling program prices, contact: Liz Goldenberg,Director of Curling 604.985.4135 Ext 270 • liz@nswc.ca NORTH SHORE WINTER CLUB 1325 E Keith Road, North Vancouver • www.nswc.ca The North Vancouver Recreation Commission partners with the North Shore Winter Club to offer a variety of public curling programs and leagues at the North Shore Winter Club facility.