Severe crosswinds cause disruption at Dublin Airport
Several flights have been cancelled this evening as a result of the severe crosswinds currently prevailing at Dublin Airport.
If you were due to fly from Dublin later this evening then it is advisable that you check with your air carrier before making your way to the airport. In the event that your flight has been cancelled as a result of the current weather conditions, then it is important that you are aware of your rights and entitlements under EC Regulation 261/ 2004.
Where a flight is cancelled with less than 7 days notice, your air carrier 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 (i.e. re-routing as soon as possible) then your air carrier must provide you with 'Care and Assistance' whilst you are waiting on the 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/ faxes/ access to email.
If you choose the second option (i.e. re-routing at a later date at your convenience), the air carrier's obligation to provide you with care and assistance ceases immediately.
Where the third option is selected (i.e. refund), this should be provided within 7 days of the cancellation. Refunds are generally issued to the original form of payment.
If your flight is subject to a long delay as a result of these crosswinds, your air carrier 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 a full refund.
If your flight is either cancelled or subjected to a long delay, and your air carrier does not provide the care and assistance described above, passengers should make their own reasonable arrangements and retain all receipts in the process. These receipts (or copies thereof) should then be submitted to the air carrier for reimbursement.
In both situations (i.e. flight cancellation or long flight delay) the air carrier should provide affected passengers with a written notice setting out their rights and entitlements under EC Regulation 261/ 2004.
Passengers should also be aware that some incoming flights are being diverted as a result of these crosswinds. Diversions are not provided for under EC Regulation 261/ 2004 though most air carriers make every endeavour to transport diverted passengers to their original destination.
Passengers who remain unclear about their entitlements under EC Regulation 261/ 2004, or who have further queries in relation to same, should contact this Office on 1890 787 787.