Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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160. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the EU package travel directive covers purchases through a travel agent of a flight only; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18383/20]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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Flight only bookings made through travel agents are not covered by the EU Travel Directive 2302, but they are covered by EU Regulation 261 and they are protected against travel agency insolvency under Irish law, the Transport (Tour Operators and Travel Agents) Act 1982. 

Under EU Regulation 261, if an airline cancels a flight then a full cash refund must be made to people booked on that flight, including to people who booked through a travel agent.   Under the  Transport (Tour Operators and Travel Agents) Act 1982, as amended by the Package Holidays and Travel Trade Act 1995, in the event that a travel agent goes out of business, a person who booked flights or ferry journeys to overseas destinations may make a claim to the Commission for Aviation Regulation to have the cost of their flight/ferry reimbursed.  In practice, however, travel agents make immediate payments to airlines at the time of a customer booking and therefore the booking is normally secure with the airline and valid, even if the travel agent is no longer in business.