Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
AIRLINE CUSTOMERS FROM the three counties currently subject to regional restrictions are not entitled to a refund if their flights goes ahead but they choose not to travel, the consumer watchdog has confirmed.
Residents in Kildare, Laois and Offaly have been told they should not leave their county unless it essential travel such as a journey to work or for medical services.
Airline customers in these counties who had holidays booked, either in other parts of the country or abroad, have been told they should remain at home. However those due to take flights during the two-week regional lockdown are not being offered refunds by airlines.
The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) has said if a consumer “cannot avail of the flight, for whatever reason, they are not entitled to a refund”.
“They have the option to apply for a refund of any relevant taxes and charges from the airline, however administration fees may be applied to this process.
The CCPC said it may be an option to engage with the airline to see if they are willing to provide a remedy.
“If the consumer has taken out travel insurance on the flight or if they have an annual travel insurance policy, they should check the terms and conditions of the insurance policy or contact the insurance provider to see if this situation is covered.”
One couple who spoke to TheJournal.ie, Tracy and Daniel McCabe, had booked their flights with Ryanair to Portugal in January. They were due to travel on 10 August with their two children.
They had already decided not to go on their holiday because Portugal is not on the government’s green travel list and they are both currently in receipt of the Covid-19 unemployment payment and were worried they would lose it.
Daniel told TheJournal.ie that Ryanair told them they were not entitled to a refund for those reasons and would have to pay €400 to move the flights to a later date.
“I had said to my wife we’d need a miracle to get our money back because the flights were still going ahead. Then the government announced the lockdown for Kildare and we live in Kildare. We were told not to leave our county. So I thought that was our miracle.”
McCabe said the couple expected this would mean they were entitled to a refund because the government’s regional restrictions state they should not leave Kildare. However the airline told them on that they will not be refunded as the flight still departed on Monday as planned.
“I don’t see how the government can allow this to happen. I am now €808 out of pocket, I’m absolutely disillusioned,” he said.
“We booked our holiday well before Covid and we are people who have gone with the government recommendations all the way through this. We haven’t done anything wrong.”
In response to a query from TheJournal.ie, Ryanair said: “Passengers who do not wish to travel on their booked flight can move it to another date, in which case, a flight change fee and the difference in fare may apply.”
The airline said it has issued in excess of €750 million in cash refunds, vouchers and free moves.
“We have cleared over 90% of the cash refund backlog before the end of July and are making rapid progress on clearing all remaining refund requests.”
Aer Lingus did not respond to a request for comment. The Department of Transport also did not respond.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
This government trying to have it both ways again! The travel ban is mandatory for citizens but the insurance companies can consider it optional and not pay out. It didn’t take them long to go back to their old ways.
@Kem Trayle: it’s actually not mandatory. It’s not a penal offence.
There’s no legal obligation to remain in Kildare/Laois/Offaly. If I had a flight I’d be taking it.
@Adam Conroy: Thanks Adam. Its good to see someone state the obvious here every now and then. You hit that nail smack on the head.
@Adam Conroy: hilarious mate
@Adam Conroy: I really dont understand people expecting refunds or the government to ‘do something’. Travel advice is not a legal obligation. The flight is going, if you choose not to take it that’s great for your convictions but dont expect the airline or the government to subsidise those. Surely if you think taking a flight is so horrible you wouldnt mind forfeiting some money for ‘the cause’.
Were all in this together my ar- -should be refunded as u cant leave ur county
@noel c: you can. Nobody can stop you. It’s not a penal offence.
Don’t travel overseas not hard to understand
@bmul: Exactly, we find only excuses to let people from countries which are to dangerous to travel to in.
@bmul: Exactly, why can’t people sacrifice their holidays for the next 3 or 4 years until we’ve a vaccine or enough immunity built up.
@Colin: 3 or 4 years . ! The thoughts of not leaving here for that length of time is depressing !
Not to mention not seeing family overseas
No way Pedro !
@devotional: He has his close family around him. That makes it rasier to have the moral highground.
@bmul: did you read where it said the family in the article had booked prior to Covid? Your logic implies no one should travel overseas ever again, just in case some other emergency should pop up in the meantime.
Absolutely wrong not there fault I’m still waiting for refund from bloody March!
@Tracey Darby: think he hung himself about trying to cancel flight before the local lockdown, then when restrictions he automatically thought it changed things but its known fact if flight still going you won’t get refund regardless of advice and this is not just Ryanair or Ireland this is most countries airlines
This whole farce gets worse and worse every single day, this government will end up being hounded out
@Jonny: You having a laugh? No they won’t. The Irish will just take it, whatever it is, whenever it’s dished out, and by whomever dishes it. Always have and always will.
Cases are going up all over the world and telling people that you can’t go to France but can roam freely over Ireland and mix with people from all over the world without masks on crowded beaches is a complete joke.
@Ian James Burgess: Stopping people travelling internationally reduces risk, stopping people travelling reduces risk further, stopping people travelling locally reduces risk even further, stopping people leaving their houses except in emergencies reduces risk further again. Where should you stop? All reduce risk.
Well here’s one, I had flights canceled to Gran Canara in March, got refund from airline, Insurance company won’t refund me for hotel because it was open. I explained about lockdown but no joy. You can’t win with insurance companies
@Nan: That’s unreal…. did they expect you to swim there ? A case for the ombudsman ?
@Nan: I’d imagine gran Canaria is pretty safe too
Letting meat plants work freely another own goal in this ongoing fiasco
@Thomas Sheridan: I like meat
@DeWitt: Of course you do
When are people going to realise that the government couldn’t care less about its citizens. Not your health not your wealth. Can fast track all the lockdown laws in to existence but can let big money companies do what they want
@AOL: they paid themselves travel expenses when they weren’t even travelling. Enough said.
@Ian James Burgess: Correct. Yet we complain but do nothing
@AOL: You do know that the government is made up of citizens?
This is probably the best way that the government will lose the people…
This is why the government don’t call it lockdown
If people are going to book flights for non esential travel then I have no sympathy. They know the risks at this stage.
@Ray Dunne: What about people who booked months ago before all of this? Every case is different
@Ray Dunne: harsh but very true.
Cleared 90% of the cash refunds? Can the journal do a poll or fact check that..I applied for a refund over 4 months ago when they cancelled my flights and still no word
@dublindamo: Aer Lingus have definitely not cleared 90 % anyway. There is a huge complaints group on facebook.
DFA advice since the start of the pandemic has been not to travel unless it’s essential. Holidays are not essential
Holiday Insurance
@Timothy Culligan: there’s no legal requirement to stay in the three counties so it won’t be covered.
How would it work for Irish hotels in case of a lockdown? Could we expect a refund in such cases?
Or could I just ignore such lockdown as the law is probably poorly written?
I see no mention of tourism chief holidaying in Italy to be found on the journal…..
Cos tis subjudice….the ambulance chasers are in full flight..
Cos tis subjudice..
have your say