IrelandCan I bring a complaint about an airline to the CAR?
No, the Commission for Aviation Regulation (CAR) was dissolved in 2023 and its functions transferred to the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA); complaints about airlines must now be made to the IAA or the European Consumer Centre Ireland, depending on the issue.
What the Law Says
The Air Navigation and Transport Act 1936 originally provided the legal basis for aviation regulation in Ireland, but it did not establish or empower the Commission for Aviation Regulation (CAR) — that body was created later under separate legislation. The CAR itself was abolished under the Civil Aviation Act 2021, which transferred all its functions to the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) effective 1 August 2023.
The Air Navigation and Transport Act 1936 is foundational Irish aviation law, but it does not mention the CAR or consumer complaints. It focuses on air navigation, licensing of aircraft, and safety oversight — not passenger rights or complaint handling.
The CAR was established much later, under the Air Navigation and Transport (Amendment) Act 2004, and was subsequently dissolved by the Civil Aviation Act 2021. That 2021 Act — not the 1936 Act — governs the current regulatory structure.
Today, the IAA handles airline licensing, enforcement of EU passenger rights (like Regulation (EC) No 261/2004), and complaints about flight delays, cancellations, and denied boarding.
Statutory Text—
— Air Navigation and Transport Act 1936, s. 5
What to Do
Contact the airline directly first — they must respond within 30 days.
If unresolved, submit a complaint to the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) online at www.iaa.ie/complaints.
For cross-border EU issues (e.g., flights from another EU country), contact the European Consumer Centre Ireland (www.ecci.ie).
Keep records: booking reference, flight number, dates, and all correspondence.
Act quickly — you generally have up to 2 years from the flight date to make a claim under EU261.
Sources
Not legal advice. This article is general information based on publicly available sources, written for educational purposes. Laws change and individual situations vary. Consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction before acting on anything you read here. Last reviewed: 2026-06-08.