Air Passenger Rights in the event of Industrial Action
Aer Lingus pilots have threatened to commence industrial action on Tuesday 7th June 2011. If you are a passenger scheduled to travel with Aer Lingus next week, then it is important that you are aware of your rights and entitlements should your flight be cancelled or subjected to a long delay as a result of this industrial action.
In the event that your flight is cancelled then Aer Lingus must offer you the choice between the following:
- re-routing as soon as possible:
- re-routing at a later date at your convenience: or
- a refund.
If you choose the first option (re-routing as soon as possible) then Aer Lingus must provide you with care and assistance whilst you are waiting on your alternative flight. Care and assistance comprises:
- meals & refreshments in reasonable relation to the waiting time;
- hotel accommodation where an overnight stay becomes necessary;
- transport between the hotel accomodation and the airport;
- 2 free telephone calls/ access to email.
If your flight is subject to a long delay as a result of the threatened industrial action, Aer Lingus must provide you with the care and assistance described above. In addition, if your flight is delayed by more than 5 hours, the air carrier must offer you the choice between:
- continuing with your journey: or
- a refund of the cost of your ticket.
Please note that it is not possible for passengers to travel and avail of the full refund.
In both situations (i.e. flight cancellation or long flight delay) Aer Lingus should provide affected passengers with a written notice setting out their rights and entitlements under EC Regulation 261/ 2004.
If your flight is either cancelled or subjected to a long delay, and Aer Lingus does not provide the care and assistance described above, passengers should make their own reasonable arrangements and retain all receipts in the process. Passengers are advised to then submit copies of these receipts to Aer Lingus for reimbursement.
Passengers who remain unclear about their entitlements as set out in EC Regulation 261/ 2004, or who have further queries in relation to same, should contact this Office on 1890 787 787.