We recently received correspondence from a reader named Pat who was perturbed by a report he had come across and was wondering if we could provide any guidance. We speculate that Pat is not alone amongst Britons who are agitated at the potential occurrence of industrial action at Aer Lingus this summer. We can indeed provide some counsel, although our comfort is limited as Pricewatch is hesitant to wade into the complex world of industrial relations.
Pat disclosed: “We’ve arranged to fly with Aer Lingus to Lanzarote on July 6th, flying back on the 16th. If the pilots opt to strike either before or during our holiday, what rights do we have? We’ve secured our accommodation and are invested in our holiday plans – refunding our flight won’t solve our problem,” he explains. Further, he posed whether it was within their rights to request the airline arrange alternative flights or if a refund would have to be accepted if proposed by the airline.
The previous experience of missed anniversary trip in Paris due to an erupting volcano, where reimbursements for flights couldn’t cover the loss of a four-night hotel prebooking, further compounds Pat’s worries.
To comprehend the situation, some background is necessary. The threat of summer strikes looms over all Aer Lingus passengers as the airline’s pilots have given a resounding vote in favour of industrial action. A serious pay dispute with management has resulted in this precarious situation.
Captain Mark Tighe, a representative of the IALPA at the airline, has urged management to reconsider their stance. He disclosed that the specifics of the action, impacting the public, will be announced in due course. He emphasised the union’s wish to avoid widespread travel disruption during the summer holidays but did not dismiss the possibility.
Mr. Donal Moriarty, the Chief Corporate Affairs Officer of Aer Lingus, has warned that any industrial action will significantly affect customers. He ensured that the airline will make every effort to refund customers and make alternate travel arrangements for passengers to reach their intended destinations.
While managing the influx of vacationers during the peak of summer would be difficult, he acknowledged. The Irish Travel Agents Association (ITAC) is, meanwhile, advocating for a solution. Angela Walsh, the president of the parent organisation, stated on a Wednesday evening that a pilots’ strike during the summer could potentially create severe problems for both those on vacation and business travellers. It’s the busiest travel season and any such disruption can have implications on accommodation bookings and related travels.
As per Walsh, travel agents, being the first point of contact in situations of strikes, cancellations, and other disruptions, owe it to their customers to mitigate any inconvenience caused. She emphasised that while their agents are ready to support in whatever capacity they can, it is essential for airlines and the broader travel sector to prioritize consumers to avoid any unsettling of travel plans.
She further mentioned that individuals who have booked through them can reach out to their agents should a strike be confirmed. Agents will do their best to work out alternative travel arrangements. However, for people like Pat who didn’t opt for a package deal, reaching out to an agent won’t be feasible. He does not enjoy the safeguard that such bookings offer.
Significantly, this protection can be extensive with travel agents ensuring each component of the holiday is shielded as much as possible. For someone who decides to arrange everything for themselves, it becomes slightly more complicated, having seen this pattern of strikes even in the past, not limited to Aer Lingus. Accordingly, we have a bit of an understanding of what might follow.
We would initially advise readers not to stress, as we can’t predict the shape of any potential industrial protest. Remaining calm is crucial which is easier said than done, but it’s futile to fret over what would happen a few weeks ahead.
The coming weeks will unveil a range of situations for Pat and all Aer Lingus customers. The most favourable outcome is the settlements between Aer Lingus management and its pilots, which would mean no industrial strike at all. However, the probability of this taking place is uncertain.
Pat’s upcoming travel could face two potential issues due to a strike. One is that he may not be able to depart as intended if flights are grounded. Similarly, he may face problems returning from Lanzarote if a strike ensues during their stay. The impact and their rights will vary based on the situation.
In the event the outbound flight gets called off while Pat is still at home, European Union Regulation 261 stipulates that Aer Lingus must provide an alternative of either refund or a reroute to the earliest possible flight or at a time Pat prefers. If Pat decides to take the refund, the airline has no further commitment towards him and his wife. However, this refund won’t be of much help, as the trip has already been financed. Consequently, Pat considers if Aer Lingus could arrange a flight through a different airline.
Although reasonable, odds seem stacked against this. In case of a strike, thousands of passengers would be affected, casting doubts on Aer Lingus’ ability to shift everyone onto new carriers, much as we all might wish it. An alternative route could be Pat booking another airline and reclaiming the cost from Aer Lingus. This method has seen success in some instances and failure in others, so it’s a gamble.
Regardless, it’s crucial to maintain easy communication with the airline during a strike and to keep a detailed record of any correspondence, preferably documented.
The other possible situation is where Pat gets trapped abroad due to a strike. Airlines no longer generally provide stranded passengers with hotel accommodation; however, this doesn’t void passengers rights. In such a case, regulation again states that Aer Lingus must give a refund or propose a reroute on the earliest conveniable flight or at a time of the passenger’s choosing.
Airlines carry the responsibility to ensure the safe and timely return of their passengers, as well as maintaining their welfare during their international stay until such can be assured. Those affected by unfortunate incidents such as delays or cancellations have the legal right to be provided food and drink. Moreover, the carrier is dutifully required to cover the financial aspects of lodging and transportation to the airport, if found necessary. Despite the evolutions in communication technology making free phone calls and email provisions less impactful, this is a requirement nonetheless.
The common practice of readily offering stranded passengers accommodation seems to have dwindled, but it doesn’t mean passengers’ entitlements have been revoked. If passengers find themselves struggling to get the appropriate help from their airline in a situation of crisis, they may step up to take care of their own affairs, bearing in mind to keep all receipts in order to claim back fair expenditures.
The term fair, however, carries some ambiguity. As an example, if a passenger named Pat decides to lodge in a high-end hotel in Lanzarote and indulges in lavish meals and drinks while waiting to return and then wishes for reimbursement, they may end up being let down. However, if Pat chooses moderate accommodation and eats at regular-priced establishments during the wait for the strike to conclude, he can claim these expenses.
In such instances, passengers should mail photocopies (keeping the originals safe from getting lost) of all invoices to their airline, Aer Lingus in this case, along with references of their bookings, passenger identities, and details of both initial and rescheduled flights. The refunds will be made thereafter.
It must be mentioned, however, it is premature to worry as July 6th is some distance away and future events remain uncertain and out of our hands. One can only hope that such circumstances do not arise in the first place.