Flight rights: what you need to know

In 2005 the European passenger rights law was introduced and provides for common rules across the European Union for dealing with long delays, cancellations, denied boarding and downgrading.

Each country in the EU has a specific authority responsible for enforcement, in Ireland it is the Commission for Aviation Regulation. The law applies to all passengers departing from airports in the EU and European Economic Area (EEA). It also covers passengers arriving into the EU/EEA on carriers licensed within the EU/EEA.

If your flight is cancelled you are entitled to rerouting as close as possible to the original departure time, rerouting at a later date or a refund of the cost of the unused flight ticket.

If your flight is delayed from two to five hours and arrives more than three hours later than scheduled, there is a scale of compensation. It can be from €250 to €600 depending on the distance of your flight and number of hours delayed. If more than five hours delayed, you will be entitled to a full refund if you decide not to travel.

However, compensation will not be paid as a result of exceptional circumstances, which can be terrorism, security issues, weather conditions, industrial relations problems, air traffic management, airport closure or unexpected flight safety issues.

The airline should provide you with written information about your entitlements, which includes meals and refreshments, hotel accommodation where an overnight stay is necessary, transport from the airport to hotel and back and two telephone calls or emails.

If the airline does not provide assistance to you and you are forced to make your own arrangements, you should keep all your receipts as you will be entitled to reimbursement of your expenses.

See your rights and how to make a complaint on flightrights.ie.

[ jscales@irishtimes.com  ]