Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 21 April 2021
417. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Transport if persons who have booked flights to a region from which travellers will need to quarantine in a managed facility will be entitled to a full refund from their airline in view of the recent introduction of mandatory hotel quarantine. [20086/21]
View answerConsumer rights for overseas travel are protected under EU law, which of course applies in Ireland. Air passenger rights are protected by Regulation (EC) No. 261/2004, which places the legal obligations on airlines in respect to refunds for flight cancellations in the following situations:
- Flights departing from airports within the EU and European Economic Area (EEA).
- Passengers departing from 'third countries' that arrive into airports located within the EU/ EEA, provided the flights are operated by air carriers which are licensed within the EU/ EEA, provided they have not already received compensation or assistance in that third country.
Where a flight is cancelled then the consumer must receive a refund within seven days. However, there is no legal onus on airlines to refund where a flight goes ahead. Where there is a requirement for travellers to quarantine in a hotel on their arrival to Ireland, they may wish to review the terms of their booking for information on refundable fares or rebooking options. I do understand, however, that in cases where a cash refund is not required under law, airlines have been issuing vouchers and/or credit notes because of the special circumstances arising from Covid-19.
If any individuals are unclear about their air passenger rights, the Commission for Aviation Regulation has a dedicated web site for consumers www.flightrights.ie.
