Aer Lingus passengers whose flights are cancelled or significantly delayed because of industrial action in the weeks ahead will be entitled to compensation of up to €600 per person as long as they are given less than 14 days notice of changes.
Passengers must also be compensated if they arrive at their destination three hours or more after the scheduled arrival time unless Aer Lingus can prove the delay was the result of extraordinary circumstances. Compensation will not be payable to passengers if the airline can give them 14 days or more notice of a cancellation however the Aer Lingus has denied this get out clause in EU regulations was behind its call for the Irish Airline Pilots Association to give it 15 days notice of any industrial action.
He denied that the request for 15 days notice was so it could avoid paying compensation EU regulations. “We will fulfil all of our compensation obligations,” he said. “We have no difficulty in refunding, re-accommodating or compensating customers where compensation is necessary,” he added. Anyone who has any issues accessing compensation as a result of delays or cancellations as a result of any strike at Aer Lingus will be able to lodge a complaint through the Irish Aviation Authority , which is responsible for enforcing these rights in Ireland.