Ryanair legal threat over flights cut farce

RYANAIR was threatened with legal action yesterday after it was accused by the UK’s aviation regulator of breaking the law over its flight cancellations.

Andrew Haines, chief executive of the Civil Aviation Authority, said he was “furious” with the Dublin-based carrier because it was not telling passengers they are entitled to be re-routed by other airlines.

And the regulator ordered the airline to sort out compensation for hundreds of thousands of travellers by 5pm today.

Mr Haines said: “They are not making it clear to people their entitlement. If they follow through on what they are saying, then they would be breaking the law.”

On Wednesday Ryanair cancelled a further 18,000 flights for the winter season in a move that will hit 400,000 customers.

Furious

Earlier this month, the airline cancelled up to 50 flights a day through to the end of next month, also affecting 400,000 passengers.

Ryanair says the cancellations were brought about because of an error with pilot holiday rosters.

Passengers have been left out of pocket due to a lack of alternative flights, together with accommodation bookings they can no longer use.

But Mr Haines said they are “well protected by law”.

He went on: “They are entitled to compensation.

“If there is a cancellation, they are entitled to be rerouted by other airlines.

“The chief executive of Ryanair [Michael O’Leary] has gone on record and said he is not going to do that. He then issued a clarification.

“But yesterday when they announced 18,000 further cancellations, they failed to follow through on that. We are furious they are not complying with the law and are not giving customers what they are entitled to.”

Yesterday the CAA instructed the budget airline to tell passengers they are entitled to be re-routed by another carrier and explain how that will work.

Ryanair must also publicly state it will reimburse expenses for affected customers, it said.

In addition, the Dublinbased carrier must commit to helping passengers who chose an unsuitable option as a result of being misled.

Earlier, a Ryanair spokesman had said: “We will be meeting with the CAA and will comply fully with whatever requirements they ask.”

The airline’s operating licence is handled by the Irish Aviation Authority.

The airline said the latest reduction in its schedule will “eliminate all risk of further flight cancellations”.

Cancellations announced this week include popular routes used by British travellers, such as Stansted to Edinburgh and Glasgow, Gatwick to Belfast, Newcastle to Faro and Glasgow to Las Palmas.

Furious customers have vented their anger on the company’s Facebook page.

Ed Williams described the current situation as a “complete joke”.

He wrote: “Six hours of phoning, waiting live [internet] chat and still no joy.”