Air travel dominates Irish consumer complaints to EU watchdog 

European Consumer Centre Ireland handled 4,182 queries and complaints in 2025

European Consumer Centre Ireland director Colette Crowne. The ECCI handled 4,182 queries and complaints in 2025.

A watchdog body to provide advice about EU consumer rights handled 4,182 queries and complaints in 2025, with air travel the most complained sector. 

The European Consumer Centre Ireland (ECCI) advises consumers on their rights and assists them in the resolution of disputes with businesses for a cross-border issue. In its 2025 report published on Thursday, the ECCI said it helped Irish consumers recover €102,729 while a further €318,271 was recovered for consumers from other EU countries.

In 2025, air travel accounted for the largest share of contacts (34%). Complaints around air travel reflected issues such as schedule changes, weather events, industrial action, and global conflicts. Complaints covered a broad range of issues including flight cancellations, baggage disputes and intermediary-related disputes.

"Complaints around flight disruptions have dropped which suggests airlines are abiding by consumer protection laws, and refunding and rerouting as required. However, we have seen increases in complaints regarding late check-in and oversized baggage charges," said ECCI director Colette Crowne. 

The most complained about sectors beyond air travel were clothing and footwear (10%), online services (8%), and hotels/holiday accommodation, and car hire (6% each).

ECCI provides advice to consumers based in Ireland who have a problem with an EU business in any of the other member states within the EU, as well as associated countries, Iceland, Norway, and the United Kingdom. In 2025, Among businesses based outside Ireland, UK-based businesses generated the highest number of complaints from Irish consumers in 2025, followed by businesses based in the Netherlands, Germany, Spain, and France. 

ECCI is a member of ECC-Net, a network of 29 centres Europewide. ECC-Net handles up to 140,000 cases every year. Most complaints and enquiries (52%) to the ECCI in 2025 were referred by partner consumer centres across Europe. 

The top issues reported by consumers to the ECCI related to faulty goods, non-delivery, misleading practices, contract cancellations, and right of withdrawal. “Consumers have strong rights when buying products across the EU. If a product is faulty, the seller must fix the problem through a repair or replacement. If the seller is unable to offer you a repair or replacement or if this does not correct the problem, you can ask for a refund," said Ms Crowne. 

Ms Crowne added: “Consumers have strong rights when shopping in the European Union. If consumers are unable to resolve an issue on their own, then they can contact ECCI and we will mediate with the business on their behalf. The ECCI is committed to helping consumers resolve disputes and ensuring they can travel and shop across Europe with confidence."