IrelandCan I get a refund for a flight I can't take?
Yes, you may be entitled to a refund for a flight you can’t take — but your rights depend on who cancelled the flight, why, and whether it was booked with an EU airline or departing from an EU airport.
What the Law Says
Your right to a flight refund in Ireland is governed primarily by EU Regulation 261/2004 (which applies directly in Irish law), not the Air Navigation and Transport Act 1936. The 1936 Act is outdated and does not address passenger refunds — it mainly deals with aircraft registration and air navigation powers. The modern legal framework comes from EU law, which sets binding rights for passengers.
If your flight was cancelled by the airline, or if you were denied boarding, or if your flight was delayed by more than 3 hours at arrival, you may be entitled to a full refund (or re-routing) plus possible compensation — depending on distance and notice given.
You must be offered a choice between: (a) a full refund within 7 days, or (b) re-routing under comparable transport conditions at the earliest opportunity.
The Air Navigation and Transport Act 1936 s. 5 gives the Minister power to make regulations about air navigation and transport, but it contains no provisions on passenger refunds or consumer rights.
Statutory TextThe Minister may make regulations for the purpose of giving effect to any international agreement relating to air navigation or air transport to which the State is a party.
— Air Navigation and Transport Act 1936, s. 5 — Power to make regulations
What to Do
Contact the airline immediately — ask for a refund in writing (email is best).
Quote EU Regulation 261/2004 and request a refund within 7 days.
If refused, escalate to the Commission for Aviation Regulation (CAR) in Ireland via https://www.aviationregulation.ie.
Keep all booking confirmations, cancellation notices, and correspondence.
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.