Latest advice for anyone still waiting for flight refunds due to Covid-19 cancellations

Thousands of Irish passengers have yet to receive their refunds for flights that were cancelled amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

Whether that be after applying for the refund at the time of the flight, or even in the weeks after, consumers continue to be entitled to some form of refund.

The European Consumer Centre has asked people to contact them if they still have not received refunds for flights cancelled during the pandemic.

Normally, the issues are down to the actual airline itself, who consumers are reminded are obliged to issue a return under law.

Latest advice for anyone still waiting for flight refunds due to Covid-19 cancellations (Colin Keegan, Collins Agency, Dublin)

Whether or not you were notified of a flight cancellation in advance or just before departure, you are entitled to the following:

Rerouting

The airline that you fly with can offer you an alternative flight in place of the cancelled trip at the earliest opportunity or at a later date of your choice.

If the air carrier offers you a flight to an alternative airport, the air carrier must also cover the cost of transferring you from that alternative airport to the one on your reservation or to another close-by destination agreed with you.

Refund

If rerouting is not available with your airline of choice, then they are obliged to offer you a full refund for the parts of your journey that were cancelled.

The European Consumer Centre, says: “Ifyou make your own arrangements and book an alternative flight with a different air carrier, you may not be entitled to seek a reimbursement of alternative travel expenses under Regulation (EC) 261/2004.

“Similarly, you may not be able to claim expenses if your flight is cancelled and, as a result, you miss the connecting flight, which was booked separately.”

Compensation

The entitlement and the amount can vary depending on when you are informed of the cancellation, the arrangements for an alternative flight, the distance of the flight cancelled and the reason of the cancellation, as follows:

• €250 per passenger for flights of 1,500km or less
• €400 per passenger for intra-Community flights of 1,500 – 3,500km
• €600 per passenger for all other flights