Ryanair cancelled flights 2018 – can you claim compensation and what did CEO Michael O’Leary say about the strikes?
Thousands of passengers and holidaymakers have been affected as Ryanair cabin crews walk out
Thousands of passengers and holidaymakers have been affected as Ryanair cabin crews walk out
RYANAIR’S cabin crew workers for low-cost airline Ryanair have been striking in European countries over working conditions.
Here's all you need to know on your rights as a passenger.
Under EU passenger rules, Ryanair has to offer you a refund, an alternative flight or a flight with a rival airline providing there are seats available.
And the rules also entitle you to compensation if your flight was cancelled less than 14 days before it was due to fly.
The compensation is tiered depending on the distance of your flight, starting at £112 for flights of 932 miles or less Manchester to Barcelona, for example.
Ryanair has on its website you need to fill-in.
But the budget airline claims it could refuse compensation.
A statement said: "Ryanair fully complies with all EU261 legislation, however as these flight cancellations were caused by extraordinary circumstances, no compensation is due.
"Under EU261 legislation, no compensation is payable when the union is acting unreasonably and totally beyond the airline’s control."
Michael O'Leary, who says his staff have some of the best conditions in the low-cost sector, said hat he would be "far happier to take a hit to our earnings this year, but convey the message that we will face down strikes".
In light of the dispute and the disruption it has been causing, he also said he would consider moving aircraft from Ireland, Belgium and Portugal.
It has been reported the airline will cut its Dublin-based fleet by 20 percent for the winter season after strikes hurt bookings in its home market.
Most of the cancellations will affect flights between the UK and Dublin - here's the list of walkout dates.
Ryanair said it will give 48 hours warning to passengers whose flights are affected.
Anyone travelling who has not been contacted by SMS message or email should expect to travel a normal.
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