Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 July 2020
76. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will instruct each airline (details supplied) that operates flights out of Ireland on pain of forfeit of Government financial support to discharge their responsibilities to customers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16257/20]
View answer78. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the measures that will be put in place to protect persons following public health advice to not go abroad in summer 2020 who will not receive a refund from the airline for their flights, which were not cancelled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16271/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 76 and 78 together.
As the Deputy is aware, current Government advice to people is to avoid all non-essential travel overseas, based on the advices of our public health experts. As things stand in law, air passenger rights are protected by Regulation (EC) No. 261/2004, which covers the rights of passenger in instances of cancellations. However, if a flight goes ahead and a customer either cancels or does not use their ticket, they are not entitled to a refund under EU law. I understand that the main Irish airlines are currently allowing customers who are booked to travel over the summer months to move their flights with zero change fee. That said, I am mindful that the options put forward by airlines may not be fair or workable for customers in all instances. Clearly, if the industry is seeking to secure State financial support to help it through the current period - which is one of the recommendations from the Aviation Taskforce - then a commitment to fairness and clarity on consumer rights will have to be offered in return, at the very least.
