EC 261 flight compensation

Amouar

Hi,

My family members who were due to travel back to their home country in March are still stuck in Ireland as their flights were cancelled by Ryanair due to COVID-19 and the fact that the airspace has been closed by authorities in their home countries.

I understand that the above is beyond Ryanair's control, therefore I don't think that any compensation is due. Please correct me if I'm wrong here.

However, Ryanair has now cancelled all their flights to this country until July. This means that even if airspace reopens in early June, they won't be able to travel with Ryanair. In this case, the cancellation is no longer beyond Ryanair's control, as they could fly if they wish since the airspace will be open.

My questions now are the following:

1) We are planning to ask Ryanair to reroute my family members using other airlines that will be flying to the same country when the airspace opens in June. Will they be able to arrange for that?

2) Are they also eligible for the EC 261 compensation on top of rerouting?

Thanks for your help.

L1011

Ryanair do not "do" rerouting even when obliged to. Its book and small claims for a refund.

However, once the flight is cancelled what happens after is completely irrelevant. The flight from March is gone; only a refund is valid for that if cancelled in time.

jhegarty

EC 261 does not apply to things outside the airlines control. So does not apply here.

Amouar

jhegarty wrote: »

EC 261 does not apply to things outside the airlines control. So does not apply here.

Why is this outside the airlines control when the airspace will be open and other airlines flying to the country in June?

Amouar

L1011 wrote: »

Ryanair do not "do" rerouting even when obliged to. Its book and small claims for a refund.

However, once the flight is cancelled what happens after is completely irrelevant. The flight from March is gone; only a refund is valid for that if cancelled in time.

We moved the March return flight to an other Ryanair flight that were scheduled in April. This flight was also cancelled and we moved the flight to end of May. Now Ryanair removed all May and June flight hence my question.

When you say they do not do rerouting, does this means that whatever they have in this page is not really followed in practice? https://www.ryanair.com/gb/en/useful-info/disruptions-and-refunds/disruptions/flight-cancellations

We will first try to accommodate you on the next available flight on the same route. If there are no available flights on the same or next day then we will assess flights from/to other airports within the same country.

We have a number of partner airlines which include EasyJet, Jet2, Vueling, CityJet, Aer Lingus, Norwegian, Germania, Stobart, and Eurowings airlines.

If we are unable to re-book you on an alternative flight on the same or next day, then we will review other transport options.

In order to assist you in reaching your final destination, we will review comparable transport alternatives. These options include, but are not limited to, train, bus, airline, or car hire.

If you must use the comparable transport options then you may be advised to re-book flights yourself, and then submit your receipts to our customer service department for reimbursement. However, you must contact us prior to arranging alternative transport so we can try and accommodate you first.

L1011

Realistically those will only be used if you're stuck in the airport after a flight cancelled there and then. Note that it includes an airline that ceased to exist over a year ago (Germania)...

You will absolutely not be able to make them do a re-route for a flight they cancel in advance. You may succeed in suing them for the replacement flight costs if it is an equivalent replacement flight; but realistically most of the rules are out the window now and there may be an overriding decision by the time anything is heard.