New Ryanair f lights ‘a refund ruse’
RYANAIR was last night accused of cynically avoiding a multi-million pound bill for refunds by announcing plans to operate 1,000 flights a day this summer.
The budget carrier plans to restore 40 per cent of its flights from July 1, despite indefinite travel restrictions and warnings that summer holidays are effectively cancelled.
Chief executive Eddie Wilson boasted the flights would ‘restart Europe’s tourism industry’. Ryanair said passengers will have to ask permission to use the lavatory under strict new social distancing rules on flights this summer.
Travellers will also have to pass temperature checks before boarding and wear face masks or coverings.
The airline will not leave middle seats empty after boss Michael O’Leary described the proposal as ‘idiotic’ and ‘hopelessly ineffective’.
But consumer groups said the move would deny passengers their right to a refund – while allowing Ryanair to keep millions of pounds it would otherwise have to pay out.
Under EU laws, passengers can only get a refund if their flight is cancelled. Otherwise, they face losing money or settling for a time-limited voucher towards a future flight. Airlines face a £7billion bill for refunds, and Ryanair alone faces a backlog of 25million claims since March.
The announcement by Ryanair caused surprise a day after the Government confirmed plans for a 14day quarantine of all UK arrivals. Even if flights do run this summer, the Foreign Office is advising against all but essential global travel.
Rory Boland, Editor of Which? Travel, said: ‘Expanding flight schedules now is likely to leave many families, who booked summer holidays months ago, with expensive flights they can’t take and no way to get their money back.
‘Even if these flights are cancelled, customers face a fight for their money from an airline that has already been breaking the law by delaying refunds for customers.
‘The aviation regulator and Government must stand up for passengers’ rights and start taking action against any airlines that are flouting the law around refunds.’
Ryanair declined to comment.