'There are loads of cheap flights': Ryanair boss defiant as Ukraine seeks cheaper flights for refugees
Ukrainian ambassador to Ireland Gerasko Larysa said staff from the embassy had spoken to Ryanair officials last week and again on Tuesday. Picture: Andy Gibson
Ryanair has been asked by the Ukrainian Embassy in Ireland to stop charging its refugees so much money for air fares.
But, according to the war-torn country’s ambassador in Dublin, the low fares airline has so far not agreed to this.
Her Excellency Gerasko Larysa said staff from the embassy had spoken to Ryanair officials last week and again on Tuesday.
She also brought the matter up again when she appeared at the Joint Committee on EU Affairs in the Dail on Tuesday.
“I raised the issue of growing Ryanair prices for tickets, and I have raised the issue of providing charters, between for instance, Poland and Ireland.
“One of our employees in the embassy had spoken with Ryanair last week and (Tuesday).
“Unfortunately, we don't receive any answer.”
Her comments come after the reported last week that commercial airlines are being accused of "profiteering on the backs of human misery" as flight prices from Poland to Ireland fluctuate due to increased demand.
MEP Billy Kelleher called on the Government to charter commercial passenger jets to carry Ukrainian refugees to Ireland due to the high costs of commercial airlines.
Prices are varying from as little as €30 per person to as high of €300 per person, depending on demand in particular locations.
Added to that, refugees are being charged about €125 each for airport taxes and other charges on top of the cost of their flights, and then extra for their bags.
The Government has no plans to charter passenger flights to bring Ukrainian refugees to Ireland.
According to a statement from the Department of Justice, this is because the measure has not been proposed at EU level.
The repeatedly emailed the Ryanair press office, made numerous approaches to the company on Twitter and emails to Dublin PR firm Edelman - which represents Ryanair - were also forwarded by staff to the airline.
Although he did not issue a formal statement on the issue, Ryanair chief Michael O'Leary was approached and asked by reporters about his flight prices at Cheltenham.
He said: "There are loads of cheap flights out there”.
Mr O'Leary also said there would be flights over the coming days priced at €20 and €50 one-way to different destinations in Europe from Poland.
He insisted: “We already carry thousands of refugees around Europe with fixed fares of €20 and €30 and €50.
"This story that we are hiking the fares out of Poland are completely false.
“We have low fares out of Poland available today, tomorrow and the next day, but if a flight fills, the last few fares will be sold at the highest fares.
"That’s how our business runs.”
While there is no evidence that Ryanair has deliberately hiked air fares, there is plenty of evidence that it is business as usual at the airline - regardless of why you want to fly to Dublin from Poland.
Last week a range of flight fares from Poland to Dublin were priced up to around €300.
Prices were up to around €150 - €200 per person for flights from around March 24 and March 26 from various airports in Poland to Dublin.
One way of accessing cheaper deals if travelling with children is to book with the Family Plus option.
This means children under 12 travel for free and the package comes with a deal on check-in baggage.
However, all flight fares vary depending on how busy the flight is and there are certain restrictions that apply with a Family Plus package.
There also can be an issue when you can actually fly.
A person travelling alone from Lodz to Dublin, for example, could fly on the soonest available flight - March 20 - with no check-in luggage for €160 one-way.
But the soonest a single adult, with two 12-year-olds and an eight-year-old, could travel from Lodz was almost a month later, on April 16, when the price was just over €63.
Airline industry expert Eoghan Corry said: "Ryanair operate the way they have always operated: the earlier you book, the cheaper the seats."
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