100 requests daily on compo
The Commission for Aviation Regulation has confirmed that the number of phone and website requests has swelled in the past fortnight as passengers face the reality of unexpected debts.
Average compensation for almost a week are likely to reach close to €1,000.
More than 1,000 people have contacted the commission seeking independent advice, with the repeat of ash cloud-induced cancellations further inflating the figure.
Under EU regulation 261, article seven, passengers affected by cancelled or significantly delayed flights can seek compensation for food, hotel and travel costs linked to the situation.
Individuals are initially required to contact their airline.
However, if they fail to receive a satisfactory response they can appeal the case to the Commission for Aviation Regulation, which can make a ruling and impose heavy fines if it is not endorsed.
While Ryanair has no specific figure for the number of people seeking information on expense refunds, it has laid on extra staff to cope with demand.
A spokesperson said that as 190,000 Ryanair passengers across Europe were seeing their flights cancelled every day at the height of the crisis, the number of people seeking information from the airline was likely to be far higher than the Commission for Aviation Regulation.
Aer Lingus was also unable to confirm how many people are seeking expenses refunds, but a spokesperson said the figure is “significant”.
In addition, more than 45,000 Aer Lingus passengers stranded by the ash cloud crisis last month have contacted the airline to be compensated for their ticket cancellations.
At 3pm yesterday, the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) confirmed that all airspace over the country had re-opened safely since 1pm, with the back-log being handled by airlines.
The expert group said latest information from the Volcanic Ash Advice Centre (VAAC) in London has suggested that the “risk of a further incursion of the volcanic ash cloud into Irish airspace” is unlikely before midday today.
An IAA spokesperson said while the latest ash cloud crisis appeared to be easing, airline passengers should continue to contact their airline websites and help lines to check if their scheduled flights remain unaffected.
