Minister for Transport Martin Cullen today assigned new enforcement powers that will allow air passengers unfairly "bumped off" flights to seek compensation from airlines or tour operators.
Under the initiative, air passengers who experience problems with their journey could forward their complaint to the Commission for Aviation Regulation who will adjudicate.
It covers a variety of eventualities including denied boarding, long delays, cancellations, overbooking of flights, lost or damaged baggage and package holiday difficulties.
If the airline or tour operator is found to have been at fault, the regulator can make a finding - including that the passenger be financially compensated or receives a refund, alternative flight, meals or accommodation.
Mr Cullen said: "We are doing this to protect consumers. It can be the case that passengers arrive on time for flights, only to be told the flight is overbooked or cancelled."
He added that in the past such passengers had no recourse and were often left out of pocket as well as inconvenienced.