Severe weather likely to cause significant flight disruptions
Passengers experiencing disruption as a result of severe weather conditions due to snow and/or ice - if your flight is delayed or cancelled as a result of the severe weather , it is important you are aware of your rights and entitlements.
FLIGHT CANCELLATIONS
In the event that your flight is cancelled then 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 (re-routing as soon as possible) then your air carrier should provide you with care and assistance whilst you wait for the alternative flight. If your airline does not provide it, you should make your own reasonable arrangements and the airline will later refund your costs.
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 accommodation and the airport;
- 2 free telephone calls/ access to email.
If you are finding it difficult to contact your air carrier or your air carrier does not provide the care and assistance described above, passengers should make their own reasonable arrangements for food and accommodation and retain all receipts. Passengers are advised to then submit copies of these receipts to their air carrier to get their money back.
Reasonable accommodation would include most hotels (but not 5 star). If your accommodation is a distance from the airport, keep the receipt for the travel there and back. Include copies of these receipts in your claim to the air carrier.
FLIGHT DELAYS
If your flight is subject to a long delay (2 hours +), 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, it 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.
If 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. Passengers are advised to then submit copies of these receipts to their air carrier for reimbursement.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
In both situations (i.e. flight cancellations and long delays) air carriers should provide affected passengers with written notices setting out their rights and entitlements under EC Regulation 261/ 2004.
Compensation is unlikely to be payable to passengers affected by flight cancellations or long flight delays as adverse weather conditions are incompatible with the safe operation of a flight and are regarded as exempt under the passenger rights legislation.
CONTACT US
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 or + 353 1 6611700.