Brits whose holidays were ruined by Ryanair delays and cancellations could miss out on MILLIONS in compensation after airline insists appeals can only be heard in IRISH courts
The Dublin-based budget airline has changed its terms and conditions to say disputes can only go through Irish courts
BRITS whose holidays were ruined by Ryanair delays could miss out on millions in compensation after the airline said appeals must be heard in Irish courts.
Under EU rules, passengers held up for more than three hours can claim a full refund for the delayed flight – up to £510.
But the has reported that Ryanair has changed its terms and conditions to say that disputes can only go through Irish courts.
This has prompted concerns that hundreds of passengers living outside Ireland will not bother to bring the claims because of the red tape.
Nicholas Parkinson of flightdelays.co.uk said: "If passengers were only able to bring a claim using Irish solicitors in the Irish courts, the vast majority living outside Ireland will probably not bother.”
A Ryanair spokesman said customers are required to submit claims “directly” before seeking help from companies like Flight Delays.
"We do this to ensure customers receive 100 per cent of their EU compensation without deduction of claims chaser fees, which in the case of Flight Delays can amount to 50 per cent of the compo,” the spokesman said.
“As customers can claim directly from us, with no fees, claims chasers provide no useful service. They don’t like our terms and conditions as they are designed to protect customers.”
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The budget airline, which is headed by Irishman Michael O'Leary, has previously been accused of trying to squeeze their customers for every penny.
It came under fire for threatening to make passengers pay to use the toilets on board.
Last month, the airline announced plans to set up a new base in Germany’s financial capital after saying it would "pivot" growth away from UK airports following the Brexit vote.
The company said it will start operating flights from Frankfurt am Main, which it the city’s main airport, flying four new routes to Alicante, Faro, Malaga and Palma.