A Ryanair passenger was refused a £240 refund after a nightmare journey that saw them stuck on the tarmac for six hours. The traveller, from Bishop’s Tawton in Devon, was flying from Bristol to Dublin when their plane was forced to divert to Manchester during Storm Amy last October. The aircraft first made two unsucessful attempts to land in Dublin before re-routing, and passengers remained confined onboard in Manchester for six hours, according to reports.
Ryanair failed to provide travellers with complimentary refreshments during the waiting period, or supply taxis and accommodation when they finally disembarked at midnight, as per The Guardian. When the Devon local submitted a £240 claim to cover the taxi and hotel expenses, the budget airline also rejected it outright, insisting that the plane had in fact landed in Dublin.
Two weeks after the claim was rejected, Ryanair contacted the passenger again, suggesting they had been re-booked onto a flight to Dublin that supposedly departed Manchester while they remained onboard the grounded aircraft.
The airline said the expenses claim was invalidated by the passenger’s failure to board the replacement flight – but failed to provide any evidence of its existence.
Ryanair only changed its position following press enquiries on the passenger’s behalf, admitting they had been « incorrectly advised » and agreeing to refund the flight cost and reimburse the hotel and taxi expenses.
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The carrier also backtracked on its initial claim that requirements to provide basic provisions to passengers during the six hour wait had been met because its bar was open.
It conceded that this was a paid service, rather than the free refreshments airlines must offer when delays exceed two hours.
Ryanair said other passengers on the disrupted flight can similarly claim back costs via its online portal.
The Express has contacted Ryanair for comment.
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