Ryanair passengers affected by strikes must be compensated, rules court

Ryanair has failed in its attempt to overturn a court ruling that it must pay compensation to passengers affected by industrial action. Tens of thousands of customers were affected when flights were cancelled due to a series of walkouts by pilots and cabin crew during the summer of 2018. The Dublin-based carrier said it was exempt from awarding compensation because the disruption was due to “extraordinary circumstances”. The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) disagreed and took legal action against the airline. The high court rejected Ryanair’s position in April 2021 and, on Wednesday, the court of appeal dismissed its attempt to overturn the decision. At the time of the disruption, passengers whose short-haul flights to or from UK airports were cancelled within 14 days of the departure date were entitled to up to E250 (GBP208) of compensation based on the timings of alternative flights offered. The current maximum amount of compensation is GBP220. Lord Justice Newey, who heard the appeal with two other judges, said on Wednesday: “The strikes from which the cancellations arose, relating as they did to employment conditions of employees of Ryanair, did not constitute extraordinary circumstances whether or not the aims of the strikers were reasonable or achievable and notwithstanding the involvement of trade unions.” Paul Smith, the CAA consumers and markets director, said: “We are committed to protecting the rights of air passengers and are determined to ensure all airlines comply with their legal obligations. “We would like to advise consumers that Ryanair may seek to appeal this judgment to the supreme court. Affected customers should therefore await further information before pursuing their claims. Given consumers have been waiting for clarity on this subject since 2018, this process reinforces the need to modernise our powers.”<br/>