Airlines are not equipped to verify the authenticity of passenger documentation, even the Canadian Border Service Agency lets some slip through. Airlines run on a very narrow profit margin and holding them financially responsible for dubious refugee claimants will certainly have negative ramifications. They already solely bear the cost of airport operations, (which used to be provided with tax dollars), and increasingly strict security and saftey measures. The responsibility for these costs have not resulted in an apropriate rise in ticket prices, people still demand their $49 fares. You compare a $400 Totonto - London Fare today with the $200 Freddy Laker fare on the same route from 1973. No, what has suffered is standards, no meals, extra charges for more than one bag, carriage of bicycles, firearms, pets, etc. Training standards have also suffered greatly; the time allotted for training hasn't changed since 1965 even though the material covered is nearly four times as much. Ameircan crews are still allowed to work 16 hours straight, more than even truck drivers. Wages have also suffered greatly. For the most part, they are down 40% from 15 years ago. Air Canada is advertising for ramp attendants, the pay is around $10/hour, my daughter made more than that slinging coffee at Tim's.
Making airlines responsible would also employ a double standard; the government knew weeks in advance of a ship full of Tamils headed to our shores and gave them safe passage. I might be of a different mind had they done what they should have, given them food, water, medical attention, and fuel, then sent them on their merry way long before they entered our waters.