Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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187. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the supports that are available to consumers who deferred flights due to Covid-19 in 2020 and now have made bookings before the proposed date for international travel of 19 July 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33134/21]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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Air passenger rights are protected by Regulation (EC) No. 261/2004, which covers the rights of airline passengers in instances of flight cancellations, among other matters.  It provides that 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.

Mindful of the position that Government has taken in relation to international travel in the interests of public health, the matter of consumer protection, consumer refunds and fair treatment of air passengers who choose not to travel on Government advice has been high on my agenda since taking Office. I have taken many opportunities to impress on the main Irish airlines that their treatment of passengers who choose not to travel for example in following Government advice needs to be fair and reasonable.

In continuing dialogue with the airlines, I will seek to ensure that passenger considerations are kept in focus.