Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)

The Deputy has raised a number of questions. Regulation EC 261 of 2004 applies to the rights of passengers. The enforcement body for this particular regulation in Ireland is the Commission for Aviation Regulation. The rights contained in that regulation apply to all passengers departing from EU airports as well as to those passengers departing from outside the EU, but arriving at an EU airport. The regulation does not apply to passengers travelling free of charge or at a reduced rate, but applies to scheduled and non-scheduled flights. It sets out minimum rights for air passengers when certain events occur, namely, being denied boarding, flight cancellations or flight delays. In summary, when a flight is cancelled with no prior notice, passengers are entitled to be informed of their legal rights by the airline; have access to telephone, fax, telex or other forms of communication; a refund or an alternative flight to their destination, subject to availability; and food, refreshments and accommodation offered by the airline, free of charge, while waiting.

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