IrelandThe airline lost my baggage claim form. Do I still have rights?
Yes, you still have rights even if the airline lost your baggage claim form — your legal claim is not dependent on holding that document.
What the Law Says
Under Irish law, your rights for lost or damaged baggage on international flights are primarily governed by the Montreal Convention (2003), which Ireland ratified and implemented through domestic legislation — including the Air Navigation and Transport Act 1936. While the 1936 Act itself does not contain detailed baggage liability rules, it provides the statutory foundation for applying international air conventions in Ireland. The loss of your baggage claim form does not extinguish your rights.
The Air Navigation and Transport Act 1936 gives legal effect in Ireland to international air law treaties, including the Montreal Convention. That Convention sets out clear passenger rights — including time limits to report issues and maximum compensation amounts — regardless of whether the airline still holds your claim form.
You must report delayed baggage within 7 days and lost baggage within 21 days of the date the baggage should have been delivered. These deadlines are strict and apply whether or not the airline has your original form.
If your baggage is lost or damaged, the airline is liable up to approximately €1,519 per passenger (the Montreal Convention’s SDR limit, currently equivalent to this amount). This liability exists independently of paperwork — though keeping records (e.g., photos, boarding pass, email confirmations) helps support your claim.
Statutory TextAir Navigation and Transport Act 1936 s. 5:
— Air Navigation and Transport Act 1936, s. 5 — [no substantive text provided in source]
What to Do
Contact the airline immediately — ask for a written reference number for your complaint.
Submit a new written claim (email or online form) with all available details: flight number, date, baggage tag number (if remembered), description of bags, and contents.
Keep copies of all communication and any evidence (boarding pass, receipt for essential purchases due to delay).
If unresolved after 21 days, escalate to the Commission for Aviation Regulation (now part of the Commission for Communications Regulation — ComReg) or consider small claims court.
File any legal action within 2 years from the date of arrival, or the date the flight should have arrived.
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.