Airline passengers: be aware of your rights

THE European Commission has issued advice on entitlements to more than 30,000 passengers whose Aer Lingus flights have been cancelled due to strike action by pilots next Tuesday and Wednesday.

The airline has hired eight aircraft to carry 8,000 passengers on routes from Dublin to Heathrow, Manchester, Amsterdam, Malaga and Faro. There will also be limited operations from Cork and Heathrow. The strike by the 480 Aer Lingus pilots has been initiated by the Irish Airline Pilots Association because of company policy that workers at the new Belfast base will be subject to local terms and conditions which the union claims are inferior to those enjoyed by workers in the Republic.

In a statement issued yesterday, the European Commission said passengers who were due to fly on Tuesday and Wednesday should be aware of their rights as passengers.

“If your flight is delayed by five hours or more or is cancelled you are entitled to a full refund of the unused portion of your ticket if you decide not to travel or, re-routing,” it said, adding that if passengers accept a refund, they cannot claim compensation for any subsequent costs.

“If you arrive at the airport and your flight is delayed by at least two hours, you must be provided with written information regarding your entitlements which may include free meals, refreshments, etc — depending on the length of your delay,” it said.

“You should also check the details of your travel insurance which may cover strike situations.”

Further information is available on the European Commission Representation in Ireland website at http://ec.europa.eu/ireland/general_information/faq/air_travel/index_en.htm or by contacting the European Consumer Centre at www.eccublin.ie/topics/air_travel.html.