Flight disruptions due to weather – What are your rights?

Apr 21, 2023, 10:25 by User Not Found

Passenger rights are protected under European legislation and it is important that all passengers are aware of their entitlements.

Passengers can also access details of their rights on our site, www.flightrights.ie.

In summary, the following should be noted by all affected passengers.

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 and refreshments in reasonable relation to the waiting time;

hotel accommodation where an overnight stay becomes necessary;

transport between the hotel accommodation and the airport;

two free telephone calls/access to email.

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.

FLIGHT DELAYS

If your flight is subject to a long delay (2 hours +), your airline 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.

CLAIMS

If you need to make a claim for expenses, refunds or compensation, 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.

It is important to remember that the Air Passenger Rights team in the Commission only deals with flights departing from Ireland and that expenses, refunds and compensation claims should be made initially to the airline.

For flights that do not depart from Ireland, you should contact the relevant National Enforcement Body where the flight departed. A list of other relevant national enforcement bodies can be found here.