WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU CANCEL YOUR PACKAGE HOLIDAY?

THE Government has issued guidance on the right of travellers to terminate package travel contracts due to the extraordinary circumstances resulting from Covid-19.

The Commission for Airline Regulation (CAR) has issued a consumer-friendly summary of the guidance: 1

If (due to Covid-19) a customer cancels a package that is due to start before May 29, 2020 that customer is entitled to cancel the package and get a full refund of all payments made for the package. The customer cannot be charged a termination fee. 2

The customer is entitled to a full refund of all payments made if the package includes a travel service (e.g. a flight or accommodation) or a tourist service (e.g. attendance at a sporting or cultural event), and that travel or tourist service is cancelled before May 29, 2020 (due to Covid-19). The customer cannot be charged a termination fee. 3

The current May 29, 2020 date may change in the light of changing circumstances and evolving official health and travel advice. 4

For packages that are due to start after May 29, 2020, the customer is entitled to cancel the package at any time before the start of that package but can be required to pay an appropriate termination fee. The contract may specify the fee to be paid. For details of how that termination fee is calculated refer to www.irishstatutebook.ie/ eli/2019/si/80/made/en/print.

The CAR also operates a consumer protection scheme that may apply to customers of defunct travel agent USIT Ireland. You may qualify if your booking was made from Ireland and included travel. Another scheme may cover customers who bought elsewhere in Europe. Full details are available on the CAR website aviationreg.ie.