Ryanair was not duty bound to compensate passengers affected by the “internal strike action” which disrupted the budget carrier’s schedule last summer, a court has ruled.
Swords District Court in Dublin has ruled no EU261 compensation was due to customers whose flights were delayed or cancelled due to the industrial action as the strikes were “beyond the airline’s control”.
Ryanair said it was “fully compliant” with EU261 and re-accommodated or refunded all customers affected by the disruption.
The airline added it had assisted passengers where necessary with accommodation, meals and re-routing.
Ryanair chief marketing officer Kenny Jacobs said: “We welcome this ruling confirming no compensation is payable to customers when the (strike) delay/cancellation is beyond the airline’s control.
“If these strikes, by a tiny minority of Ryanair crew, were within Ryanair’s control, there would be no strikes and no delays/cancellations.”
Jacobs added the ruling mirrored decisions made in Spain.