Travel Disruption Notice: Middle East
Due to the ongoing situation in the Middle East, many flights to and from the region have been cancelled or significantly disrupted.
Passengers are advised to check the latest travel advice from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and to confirm their flight status directly with their airline before travelling to the airport.
Passengers currently abroad who cannot return home should contact their airline for information on the assistance and support available.
Passengers due to travel to or through the Middle East should stay in close contact with their airline and the Department of Foreign Affairs for the latest updates before travelling.
Guidance for Passengers Facing Disruption
Under EU Regulation (EC) 261/2004, passengers are entitled to specific rights when flights are delayed or cancelled. These rights vary depending on the circumstances of your journey, including the airline operating the flight and the airport of departure.
Overview of Passenger Rights Under EU Legislation
The table below provides guidance on whether your flight is covered by EU Regulation 261/2004:
Flight Itinerary | Flight Operated by EU Carrier | Flight Operated by NonEU Carrier |
Departing from an EU Airport (incl. Ireland) | Covered | Covered |
Arriving into an EU Airport(incl. Ireland) | Covered | Not Covered |
Regardless of whether EU law applies, the IAA strongly encourages airlines to make every reasonable effort to minimise the impact on passengers.
Passengers should continue to monitor DFA travel advice and check their flight status directly with their airline.
If You Are Departing from Ireland or into Ireland from an EU carrier
All flights departing from an EU airport or into the EU on an EU carrier —including Ireland—are covered by EU passenger rights legislation.
If you no longer wish to travel
If your flight has been cancelled, you are entitled to a refund within 7 days.
If you still wish to travel
Your airline must:
Re-route you at the earliest opportunity or at a later date of your choice
Provide meals, refreshments, and accommodation where necessary
Keep you informed throughout the disruption
If the airline cannot immediately provide these services due to exceptional circumstances, it should reimburse reasonable costs you incur.
If You Booked a Package Holiday
Passengers travelling on a package holiday may have additional protections under package travel legislation.
If the disruption means your holiday cannot proceed as planned, your tour operator must:
Offer an alternative holiday, if available, or
Provide a full refund of the package price
You can contact the CCPC for advice on enforcing your consumer rights relating to package holiday refunds.
They provide general guidance and can explain next steps.
Website: https://www.ccpc.ie/consumers/travel/package-holidays/
If the business is based outside Ireland in another EU country you can contact the European Consumer Centre Ireland (ECC Ireland)
Website: https://www.eccireland.ie
Fixed-Sum Compensation
While we recognise the impact this disruption is having, passengers are unlikely to be entitled to fixed-sum compensation under EU Regulation 261/2004.
The situation in the Middle East is likely to be considered an extraordinary circumstance. Extraordinary circumstances do not affect your rights to care, assistance, refunds or re-routing, but they do mean compensation is unlikely to apply.
Important Notes
The above guidance reflects the IAA’s interpretation of passenger rights and is intended to assist passengers. Each case is fact-specific. Passengers may still choose to pursue claims directly with airlines, or through the courts, if they believe compensation is owed.
More information on your rights is available on the IAA website.
