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Travel · Ireland
Updated September 2026

✈️ My flight was delayed or cancelled — who enforces my compensation?

Direct answer

Under EU 261 you are owed €250–€600 for a delay of 3+ hours at arrival, a cancellation with less than 14 days' notice, or denied boarding — unless the airline proves extraordinary circumstances. Claim from the airline first, in writing. If it refuses or ignores you for 6–8 weeks, Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) (iaa.ie) is the national enforcement body in Ireland; a complaint there is free. IAA — complaint process offers binding dispute resolution. Check your amount first with our flight tool.

Call firstIrish Aviation Authority (IAA)
Report toIAA — complaint process
If that failsDistrict Court — small claims

🗣️ What to say

"Flight [number] on [date] from [A] to [B] arrived … hours late / was cancelled on [date]. Under Regulation (EC) 261/2004 Art. 7 I claim €… compensation, to [IBAN], within 14 days. Booking reference […]."

🪜 Step by step

  1. Check the amountDistance and delay decide: €250 up to 1,500 km, €400 up to 3,500 km, €600 beyond. Our flight-compensation tool does it in 30 seconds.
  2. Claim from the airlineTheir online form or e-mail. Keep the boarding pass, booking, and any message about the delay.
  3. Give them 6–8 weeksThen escalate. "Extraordinary circumstances" must be proven by the airline — technical faults are not.
  4. Complain to Irish Aviation Authority (IAA)The enforcement body for flights departing Ireland or arriving on an EU airline. Free; it can fine the airline.
  5. Binding decision: IAA — complaint processThe dispute board issues a decision the airline has to follow; otherwise, small-claims court.

📇 All contacts

Irish Aviation Authority (IAA)National enforcement body for EU 261When the airline refuses or is silent for 6–8 weeks🔗 www.iaa.ie/passengers
IAA — complaint processInvestigates and issues a determinationFlights departing Ireland or arriving on an EU airline🔗 www.iaa.ie/passengers/air-passenger-rights
District Court — small claimsClaims up to €2,000, no solicitorWhen the airline ignores the determination🔗 www.courts.ie/small-claims

❓ Frequently asked

Which country's body?

The one where the disrupted flight departed. For a flight into the EU on an EU airline, the arrival country.

The airline offered a voucher

You can refuse it. Compensation is money; the refund of the ticket is separate and also money unless you agree otherwise.

Does the flight tool cost anything?

No. It checks eligibility and drafts the claim; you send it yourself.

📎 Sources

Last checked: 2026-09-26

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Recognise your own search? The answer above covers all of these.

  • “flight compensation who to complain Ireland”
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🧭 Is this still correct?

We check this information carefully, but phone numbers, websites and rules change — and sometimes we get something wrong. Spotted a mistake or a change? Let us know below.

🔗 Related questions

📦Faulty goods, no refund→🧳Lost luggage→🚆Train delay refund→🏖️Package holiday→

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