Press Release: Temporary Suspension of Boeing 737 Max Aircraft Operations into and out of Irish Airspace
PRESS RELEASE, 12 March 2019
TEMPORARY SUSPENSION OF BOEING 737 MAX AIRCRAFT OPERATIONS INTO AND OUT OF IRISH AIRSPACE
The Commission for Aviation Regulation (CAR) has been notified of the decision of the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) to temporarily suspend the operation of all variants of the Boeing 737 Max aircraft into or out of Irish airspace. CAR is advising those affected to please be aware of your entitlements.
FLIGHT CANCELLATIONS
In the event that your flight was 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 must provide you with care and assistance while you wait for the alternative flight. Care and assistance comprise:
- 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.
FLIGHT DELAYS
If your flight was 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.
As this disruption is a direct result of an Airworthiness Directive issued by the Irish Aviation Authority to the operator it is due to an extraordinary circumstance under article 5 (3) of Regulation 261 of 2004 and compensation may not be payable.
CLAIMS
If you need to make a claim, contact the air carrier directly. If you do not agree with their decision, you can refer the matter to the Commission for Aviation Regulation and we will deal with it at no cost to yourself. Details of our complaint process can be found on www.flightrights.ie.
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.
ENDS
For further information please contact;
Johnny Fallon, 085 889 5103, johnny@carrcommunications.ie
or
Aine Roddy, 087 777 3688, aine@carrcommunications.ie