Ryanair loses appeal over customer compensation

Saturday, 03 Feb, 2022 1

Ryanair saw its appeal against a court ruling to pay customer compensation to passengers rejected.

Thousands of customers were impacted when flights were grounded over strike action by pilots and cabin crew in 2018.

The budget carrier tried to claim ‘extraordinary circumstances’ to avoid paying.

The Civil Aviation Authority took legal action against the airline.

The High Court earlier rejected Ryanair’s case in April 2021 and, this week, the Court of Appeal upheld the decision.

"We are committed to protecting the rights of air passengers and are determined to ensure all airlines comply with their legal obligations," CAA director, Paul Smith, said.

"Given consumers have been waiting for clarity on this subject since 2018, this process reinforces the need to modernise our powers."

Ryanair said it would press ahead with a further appeal.

In a shakeup of consumer rights in commercial aviation, the Department for Transport is considering giving the CAA power to directly sanction airlines with fines for passenger rights violations.

"This episode underlines why reform of the travel sector is so badly needed. The government must press ahead with plans to give the CAA stronger powers – including the ability to fine airlines like Ryanair when they consistently flout the rules," Which Travel said.

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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.

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