PRESS RELEASE

14/06/2005

New body must protect stranded Cork air passengers - Kelleher

Cork North-Central Fianna Fáil TD Billy Kelleher has said the new independent body protecting the rights of stranded airline passengers must base staff in Cork Airport to ensure airlines are not leaving people sleeping on the terminal floor.

‘Under new enforcement powers, passengers are entitled to meals, refreshments, hotel accommodation and the means to contact family and friends if they have been bumped off an overbooked flight or face unnecessary delays,’ said Deputy Kelleher, who is the Government deputy chief whip.

He said passengers’ complaints will be handled by the Commission For Aviation Regulation.

‘If the airline or travel company is in the wrong, claims for cash compensation, replacement flights or holidays can also be made. In the case of lost baggage, up to €1,000 in compensation can be ordered.

‘Too often, air companies leave passengers in the dark when it comes to information on flight delays or lost baggage and it is important that people are informed about their rights. The new body has a role to play in ensuring passengers have access to full information.

‘Until now, passengers had little comeback and were more often than not both shortchanged and inconvenienced. Now, they can put their cases to the Commission For Aviation Regulation to seek compensation.

‘The aviation industry has become increasingly competitive and aggressive and, while this has created an era of low-cost travel, it must not be used as an excuse to trample on people’s rights,’ said Deputy Kelleher.

The Minister for Transport, Martin Cullen, has signed a statutory instrument designating responsibility to the Commission For Aviation Regulation to oversee the new initiative.

The move follows new European Union legislation which established common rules on compensation and assistance to passengers in the event of denied boarding, cancellation or long flight delays

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