Ryanair ‘no show’ refund stance probed

CONSUMER Affairs Director Carmel Foley is checking out the legality of Ryanair’s refusal to refund fees to “no show” passengers.

Ryanair chief executive Michael O'Leary told the Oireachtas Transport Committee before the weekend that he had no intention of returning any fees to "no show" passengers.

This prompted Transport Committee member Noel O'Flynn to ask the Consumer Affairs Director to check out the legality of the Ryanair stance.

The Fianna Fáil TD said he was not satisfied with the response Mr O'Leary gave to the committee and that is why he has asked the Consumer Affairs Director to check out the legality of the Ryanair policy. Aer Lingus has indicated that it is willing to refund "no show" passengers and this puts a whole question mark over the Ryanair policy, Mr O'Flynn said.

He has asked the Transport Committee to invite Ms Foley to appear before them to outline the legality of Ryanair's policy on non-refunds. And Mr O'Flynn also wants the Revenue Commissioners to be invited to appear before the committee to explain the tax implications of such a policy. Ms Foley confirmed that she is checking out the legality of the Ryanair "no-show" stance. Her legal advisers are checking if the policy of not refunding "no-show" passengers complies with the unfair terms of the Consumer Contract Regulations.

"I expect to have a decision within a couple of days, and my appearance before the Oireachtas Transport Committee will depend on what that legal advice is," Ms Foley said.

The Consumer Affairs Director said that if the advice was that the Ryanair policy is in breach of the regulations, then she would consider taking a test case in the courts.

But in the meantime, Ms Foley said anyone who feels aggrieved by the Ryanair policy can take a case themselves in the Small Claims Court for just 7.

This is processed in the District Court and people do not need to hire any solicitors to process their case they simply lodge a claim in the court.

Meanwhile, a Ryanair spokesman said its refund policy was clearly communicated to all passengers before they make a booking.

They are told that all bookings are non-refundable and all customers agree to this.

Ryanair passengers also have the facility to change their bookings three hours before the flight, its spokesman added.