Ryanair and the volcano

Denise McDonagh could become the flyers’ best friend after this week’s hearing in the European Court of Justice.

Ms McDonagh is suing Ryanair for the €1,129.41 she spent on meals, accommodation and transport when her flight was cancelled due to volcanic ash cloud in Apr 2010.

The airline refused to pay, saying the costs she would be entitled to under the air passenger rights rules did not apply, as the closure of airspace went beyond even the “extraordinary circumstances” provided for in the law.

The Luxembourg court will decide if the circumstances were extraordinary, and on the “equitable balance of interests” of the Montreal Convention and the EU’s Charter of Fundamental Rights.