Ryanair and Aer Lingus get Government backing in call for new EU refund rules

The prospect of Ryanair, Aer Lingus and other airlines getting the green light from EU authorities to offer credit notes instead of cash refunds appears more likely after transport ministers from 12 countries, including Ireland, wrote to the EC to make the case for vouchers. The letter says that when the existing regulations were drawn up, the scale of the coronavirus crisis and its impact on commercial air travel “could not have been foreseen”. A voucher system would support airlines and incentivise people to travel, which would boost economies across the EU in the months ahead, it says In recent days Aer Lingus and Ryanair have been encouraging passengers on flights cancelled because of the coronavirus crisis to accept vouchers instead of cash. Earlier this week Ryanair revised its strategy again when it wrote to affected customers to say it would exchange vouchers issued now for cash if they were not used within 12 months. Both airlines have insisted they are fully compliant with existing EU refund regulations.<br/>