Consumer rights explained: We’re due to fly via the Middle East in 10 days. Can we get a refund?

Q: I booked a package holiday last year through a travel agent and we’re due to depart in the next 10 days. As part of the trip, we have a layover in a Middle Eastern airport before connecting on to our final destination. While the connecting airport has technically reopened, flights going through it are still very limited because of the current war in the region. I haven’t heard anything at all from the travel agent or tour operator yet. I assume they’re taking a “wait and see” approach, but that’s not really good enough for me at this stage because I’m concerned about whether the trip can realistically go ahead as well as our safety. Before I get in touch with them, I’d like to know what my rights are and what I’m entitled to in this situation.

Mary, Clare

If you booked a package holiday, you are protected under EU package holiday regulations. To qualify as a package holiday, your purchase must include at least two travel related elements bought together for one combined price, typically transport and accommodation, although other combinations also qualify. Once your booking fits this definition, you benefit from strong and specific legal rights regarding cancellation.

It is very important to understand that your rights are different depending on if you cancel a package holiday or if the travel agent cancels it. All package holidays must include a right to cancel and a termination fee will apply depending on how late you cancel. Check your contract to see what the penalty would be if you can cancel at this very late stage – it could be very costly.

The law does allow you to cancel your holiday without penalty if there are unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances either at your destination or which significantly affect your travel there. An airport closure or a situation where flights are severely disrupted due to conflict or war could potentially fall under this category, depending on the impact on your particular trip. 

Where extraordinary circumstances apply, you are entitled to receive a full refund from the organiser, and this must be provided without undue delay. Importantly, in these situations you are not required to pay any cancellation fees or penalties.

If you are considering cancelling your holiday altogether because of your safety concerns, we recommend that you first get an update on the status of your trip from the travel agent. Remember if the travel agent cancels it is much more straightforward. If the tour operator cancels your holiday, or if they make a major change to what you originally booked, such as altering your destination, dates, or essential travel arrangements, then you have very strong rights. You must be offered a replacement holiday of equal or higher quality at no extra cost, a lower grade holiday with an appropriate refund of the difference in price, or a full refund.

If you do decide that you don’t want to go ahead with your trip because of your safety concerns you should set out your reasons very clearly and ask for written confirmation from your travel agent in advance about what level of refund you will receive and if there will be any charges.

You may want to check the latest travel advice from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade for your destination. If the Government is advising against nonessential travel to the area or highlighting significant safety risks, this may strengthen your case for cancellation under extraordinary circumstances and a full refund without penalties.

Originally published in the Sunday Independent on 22 March 2026: Your questions answered on Irish consumer rights | Irish Independent