Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

109. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has engaged with an airline (details supplied) regarding the decision to phase out paper boarding passes; and the consumer protections in place to ensure passengers who do not own or use smartphones are not disadvantaged. [53652/25]

Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

110. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the measures being taken by his Department to guarantee that passengers with disabilities or older passengers, who may struggle with digital-only systems, can continue to access air travel without penalty. [53653/25]

Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

111. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his Department has assessed whether the move to digital-only boarding passes complies with consumer rights and accessibility regulations at both national and EU level; and if he will publish any such assessment. [53654/25]

Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

112. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the steps he will take in conjunction with the Commission for Aviation Regulation to ensure airlines operating in Ireland maintain non-digital boarding alternatives for passengers who request them. [53655/25]

Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

113. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will engage at EU level with the European Commission and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency on the implications of airlines moving to mandatory digital boarding passes, particularly with regard to equality of access to services. [53656/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 109 to 113, inclusive, together.

There are no overarching EU rules or national rules prescribing the specific format or content of boarding passes. These details are set by individual air carriers. As the Deputy notes in his questions, some airlines are moving towards mandatory digital boarding passes.

In this regard, the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) is the designated compliance authority for the accessibility of digital services provided by airlines under Directive (EU) 2019/882 on the accessibility requirements for products and services (the European Accessibility Act (EAA)), which came into force on June 28, 2025. In addition, the IAA serves as the National Enforcement Body for Regulation (EC) No 1107/2006, which protects the rights of disabled persons and persons with reduced mobility when travelling by air.

The IAA’s responsibilities include:

• Monitoring airline compliance with accessibility obligations under both the EAA and EC 1107/2006.
• Investigating complaints from passengers regarding accessibility barriers or discriminatory practices.
• Carrying out inspections and assessments to ensure airline accessibility requirements are met for individuals with disabilities and reduced mobility.

• Be compatible with screen readers and assistive technologies, ensuring that users with
• visual or cognitive impairments can access and navigate the content effectively.
• Incorporate multiple sensory channels, including visual, auditory, and tactile elements,
• to accommodate diverse user needs.
• Demonstrate adherence to the harmonised standards prescribed under the EEA.