Passengers who will be affected by the cancellation of their flights due to the 28 September strike at Ryanair are invited to report to Test-Achats to enforce their right to reimbursement, the consumer defence organization said on Friday. During strikes on 25 and 26 July and 10 August, Ryanair had refused to reimburse passengers whose flights had been cancelled, a move judged “inacceptable” by Test-Achats, which collected 1,350 complaints and filed suit on behalf of its affected members.
When flights are cancelled less than two weeks before departure date, passengers have a choice between taking an alternative flight and having their ticket reimbursed. Additionally, they also have a right to compensation ranging from 250 to 600 euros, depending on the distance that should have been travelled, except in emergencies such as poor weather conditions or attacks, the organization recalled.
In Ryanair’s case, the cancellations are the result of strike action by staff of the low-cost carrier, so there is no question of emergency, Test-Achats noted. Additionally, European law is clear on the issue.
The 28 September strike involves staff in Belgium, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal and Spain. Other countries, such as Germany, as well as pilots’ organisations could join it. Belgium’s National Workers Federation, CNE estimates that 80% of flights at Charleroi and almost all at Zaventem, i.e. about 150 flights, could be affected on that day.
The Brussels Times
