An Irish MEP is warning that we are not claiming money owed under EU legislation for delayed flights.
Under passenger rights legislation people are entitled to €600 in compensation for flights that are cancelled, overbooked or seriously delayed.
MEP Deirdre Clune - who is a member of the Transport Committee of the European Parliament - says that less than 5% of passengers in these situations are pursuing what they are entitled to, leading to 'millions of euro' of unclaimed compensation every year.
Anyone travelling from an airport situated in the EU, arriving into the EU with an EU carrier, or from Iceland, Norway or Switzerland is protected under the rules.
Passengers are entitled to phone calls, refreshments, meals, accommodation and transportation if the delay is more than two hours on short haul flights, three hours for long European flights, or four hours for flights outside of the EU.
Speaking on the subject, Deirdre Clune says, "what good is legislation that aims to protect the consumer when it is ineffective in practice? We must ensure that airlines spell out what people are entitled to when delayed or inconvenienced in a variety of ways. As we approach Christmas, our airports will be operating at capacity. Delays and overbooking are common occurrences.
"Proper implementation of passenger rights will ensure that airlines strive to avoid delays, overbooking and cancellation of passenger's flights," she adds.
