Probe over airport charges

The Director of Consumer Affairs is to seek legal advice on charges and duties imposed by airlines flying from Ireland to destinations in Britain and continental Europe.

The move was confirmed tonight by the director, Carmel Foley, after claims that airlines have failed to refund government taxes and airport charges to customers who do not turn up for flights.

The charge was made earlier this week to a committee by Noel Hanlon, chairman of state-backed Aer Rianta, the company that runs Dublin, Shannon and Cork airports.

Mr Hanlon said that the national airline, Aer Lingus, had subsequently refunded all of the charges involved.

But he alleged that budget carrier Ryanair had made no effort to pay back the cash due to their “no-show” customers.

Estimates have suggested that as much as €25m could be involved in refunds due to passengers each year.

Ryanair sources have claimed that Aer Rianta – with whom they have been involved in a long-running feud over airport facilities – have been attempting to spread misinformation.

But tonight Ms Foley said her office was taking legal advice over the charges and duties issues.

In a statement, the consumer affairs director stressed her particular concern “at the lack of clarity in respect of the payments to airport operators, and the refund policies of airlines in circumstances where consumers cancel or do not take up the flight booked“.