Ryanair must face no-show probe

THERE will have to be a legal interpretation of exactly what Ryanair can pocket from no-show passengers, insists the Consumer Association of Ireland.

Almost 900,000 people booked flights with Ryanair last year but then didn’t show up for their flights.

Aer Rianta estimates that these passengers have already paid an average of €30 in charges, including tax and insurance, and this money is not refunded.

“That works out at around €25 million for last year alone. That’s a lot of money and we should be clear as to who is entitled to keep it,” said Dermot Jewell, the CAI’s chief executive officer, yesterday.

“Ryanair are not at a loss for the cost of the seat on the plane because it has been paid for. So we have to ask why they would wish to hold onto some money belonging to a prospective passenger that will not be paid to anybody.”

Consumer Affairs director, Carmel Foley confirmed yesterday that she was getting legal advice on the charges and duties made by airlines flying from Irish airports to European.

She was particularly concerned at the lack of clarity in respect of the payments to airport operators and the refund policies of airlines when consumers cancel or don’t take up booked flights.

Mr Jewell said the CAI had sought a meeting with Transport Minister Seamus Brennan last week so they could have this matter made clear.

Meanwhile, chairman of the Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Eoin Ryan is still waiting for Ryanair to clarify how much money it makes on no-show passengers.

Mr Ryan, who said the practice of withholding tax and insurance was incorrect, had asked for a speedy respon Meanwhile, chairman of the Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Eoin Ryan is still waiting for Ryanair to clarify how much money it makes on no-show passengers.

Mr Ryan, who said the practice of withholding tax and insurance was incorrect, had asked for a speedy respon se from the airline.

Aer Lingus has confirmed that it does refund charges to passengers who didn’t travel after booking flights.

Ryanair, however, have stressed that all bookings on their airline are non-refundable, as stated in their terms and conditions.

Also, it is the entire fare that is non-refundable, not any element of it.

They also said their service was unique because passengers who could not travel can change their booking up to three hours prior to the scheduled departure of the flight.