Flight cancellations – Passenger rights

The Commissioner for Aviation Regulation Cathal Guiomard was categorical yesterday in a radio interview that the airlines are responsible for the upkeep of passengers stranded abroad due to flight cancellations. This is the law of the land, he insisted.

Passengers are entitled to claim from the airline a reasonable amount for their meals and accommodation for the period while they were stranded abroad. Michael O’Leary, the chief executive of Ryanair, states that his company would only pay compensation of the amount of the cost of the ticket.

Over the years Ryanair has provided an invaluable service to the community in lowering airfares. The company deserves a great deal of credit for making air travel affordable for people of modest means. Mr O’Leary is a shrewd businessman. He entices people to travel with his company, often for absurdly low prices.