Flight Delayed or Cancelled in Ireland? EU261 Rights at Dublin, Shannon and Cork
Ireland is home to two of Europe's best-known airlines, and it sits right next to the UK, which has its own version of the rules. Here is how EU261 works for flights from Dublin, Shannon and Cork, and what changes when your flight is coming from Britain.
Main airports and airlines in Ireland
Dublin (DUB) is the hub of Aer Lingus and the home of Ryanair. Other airports include Shannon (SNN), Cork (ORK), Ireland West Airport Knock (NOC) and Kerry (KIR). Dublin and Shannon offer US border preclearance for flights to the United States.
When EU261 applies to flights in Ireland
EU261, the EU's air passenger rights law, generally applies when:
- You depart from an airport in Ireland, on any airline. So a US airline flying Dublin to New York is covered, as is any Ryanair flight from Ireland.
- You fly into Ireland from outside the EU on an airline licensed in the EU. An Aer Lingus flight from New York into Dublin is covered.
The UK is not in the EU. A flight from Dublin to London is covered by EU261 because it departs Ireland. A flight from London to Dublin is covered by the UK's rules (UK261) because it departs the UK, and EU261 may also apply if an EU airline such as Aer Lingus or Ryanair operates it. Generally only one set of rules can be used for the same disruption. See our UK guide.
Delays: care, re-routing and refunds
The airline must offer care (food and drink, two calls or emails, and a hotel with transfers if an overnight stay is needed) after a 2-hour delay on flights up to 1,500 km (Dublin to Paris, about 790 km), 3 hours on flights within the EU over 1,500 km or other flights of 1,500 to 3,500 km (Dublin to Tenerife, about 2,950 km), and 4 hours on longer flights (Dublin to New York, about 5,100 km). If the delay reaches 5 hours, you may give up the trip and request a refund. For a cancellation, the airline must let you pick a refund or re-routing.
The fixed amounts in the regulation
EU261 also lists fixed amounts tied to distance, not ticket price: €250, €400 or €600 per passenger. They are relevant when you reach your final destination 3+ hours late, your flight is cancelled with less than 14 days' notice, or you are bumped. The airline can halve the €600 amount in some cases when arrival is within 4 hours of schedule. What applies to you depends on the facts.
Extraordinary circumstances and local disruptions
An airline can refuse the fixed amounts if it proves extraordinary circumstances: events beyond its control, like dangerous weather, ATC decisions or strikes, or security alerts. Ordinary technical problems and walkouts by its own employees have generally not qualified at the EU Court of Justice. Meals and hotels are still required. Atlantic storms regularly disrupt Irish airports in autumn and winter. Severe storms are often treated as extraordinary, but the airline must still offer care and a refund or re-routing.
Where to complain in Ireland
Write to the airline first and keep a copy. If that does not resolve it, contact the national enforcement body in the country where the problem happened. Ireland's national enforcement body is the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA), Air Passenger Rights, in Dublin. It has an online complaint form: iaa.ie.
Coming in 2027: Regulation (EU) 2026/2202 amends EU261. Most changes apply from 23 October 2027, including a general nine-month deadline for compensation requests. Until then, the current rules above apply.
FAQ
My Ryanair flight from Dublin was delayed 3 hours. What applies? EU261 applies because the flight left Ireland. You can ask for care, and the fixed amount for the distance may apply if the cause was within the airline's control.
Is a flight from London to Dublin covered by EU261? UK261 applies because it departs the UK. EU261 may also apply if an EU airline operates it, but generally only one set of rules can be used for the same disruption.
Who enforces EU261 in Ireland? The Irish Aviation Authority (IAA).
Related guides
- EU261 guide (en español)
- Flight cancelled: your options
- Missed connection guide
- All Europe flight delay guides
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