IrelandI missed my connecting flight due to the airline's delay.
Under Irish law, the Air Navigation and Transport Act 1936 does not provide automatic compensation or rights for missed connections due to airline delays — your rights depend mainly on EU Regulation 261/2004, which applies in Ireland.
What the Law Says
The Air Navigation and Transport Act 1936 is Ireland’s foundational aviation statute, but it does not set out passenger rights for delayed or missed connections. Its provisions are largely administrative and structural — for example, granting powers to regulate air navigation and licensing carriers. Your rights for missed connections stem instead from directly applicable EU law.
The Air Navigation and Transport Act 1936, s. 5 gives the Minister for Transport power to make regulations concerning air navigation, safety, and aircraft registration — but it contains no provisions on passenger compensation, flight delays, or connecting flights.
In practice, passengers flying from, to, or within the EU (including Ireland) are protected by EU Regulation 261/2004, which overrides national legislation on these matters. This regulation applies regardless of the airline’s nationality if the flight departs from an EU airport or is operated by an EU carrier arriving in the EU.
To qualify for assistance or compensation under EU 261/2004, your missed connection must result from a delay, cancellation, or denied boarding — and your final destination must be reached at least 3 hours later than scheduled.
Statutory Text— Air Navigation and Transport Act 1936, s. 5
What to Do
Check if your flight is covered by EU Regulation 261/2004 (departing from EU or operated by EU airline into EU).
Keep all boarding passes, tickets, and evidence of the delay (e.g., airline notifications, gate screens).
Submit a written claim to the airline within 2 years — Irish courts uphold this deadline for EU 261 claims.
If the airline refuses without justification, escalate to the Commission for Aviation Regulation (CAR) in Ireland.
Sources
Same Question, Other Jurisdictions
European Union
UKNot 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.