Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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149. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the fact that airline companies have recently changed their terms and conditions to avoid giving refunds for flights that have had their departure times changed by more than four hours; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28100/21]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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I have not been made aware of any instances where airlines have changed their terms and conditions in this way. Under Regulation (EC) 261/2004, passengers are entitled to compensation if their flight arrives at a destination 3 hours or more after the scheduled arrival time, unless the air carrier can prove that the delay was the result of extraordinary circumstances. Carriers should also provide passengers with written information about their legal entitlements, as well as care and assistance in the form of:

- meals and refreshments (in reasonable relation to the waiting time);

- hotel accommodation (where an overnight stay becomes necessary);

- transport between the airport and the hotel (where necessary); and

- 2 telephone calls/ faxes/ emails.

The Commission for Aviation Regulation is the statutory body in Ireland with responsibility for enforcing passenger rights under EU 261. I would encourage anyone who having already corresponded with the airline continues to have difficulties securing their legal entitlements contact the Commission. Further advice, including information on how you might submit a formal complaint to the CAR is available on its dedicated passenger rights website www.flightrights.ie.