ST. JOHN. N.L. - A Newfoundland politician who is pushing for an airline passenger bill of rights says airlines are taking a backwards step when it comes to passenger safety.
Woody French, the mayor of Conception Bay South, says he finds it unconscionable that Jazz, an affiliate of Air Canada, is pulling life vests out of some of its planes to save on fuel.
Transport Canada regulations allow airlines to use lighter floatation devices instead of life vests provided the planes remain within 90 kilometres of shore.
A Jazz official says a number of its east coast routes have been adjusted to meet that requirement.
French, who has a background in occupational health and safety, says it's another example of passenger consideration coming in a distant second.
He says he is currently attempting to bring a committee together to better lobby the federal government on passenger rights issues.
