The Commission for Aviation Regulation issued an advisory yesterday as a result of the flight cancellations to the east coast of the United States. It reads as follows:
If you are a passenger scheduled to travel between Ireland and the east coast of America, then it is important that you are aware of your rights and entitlements should your flight be cancelled or subjected to a long delay as a result of Hurricane Sandy.
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 must provide you with care and assistance whilst you are waiting on the alternative flight. Care and assistance comprises:
- meals and 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/ access to email.
If your flight is subject to a long delay as a result of the bad weather, 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 the full refund.
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.
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. Passengers are advised to then submit copies of these receipts to their air carrier for reimbursement.
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.
