Compensation claims against Ryanair must be made in Ireland, court rules

Compensation claims against Ryanair must be made in Ireland, court rules

Compensation claims for delayed or cancelled flights made against Ryanair must now be made in the Republic of Ireland, a British court has ruled. Liverpool County Court ruled today that the Irish courts should hear claims brought against the airline … Continue reading

Compensation claims for delayed or cancelled flights made against Ryanair must now be made in the Republic of Ireland, a British court has ruled.

Liverpool County Court ruled today that the Irish courts should hear claims brought against the airline on behalf of clients by British law firm Hughes Walker.

Ryanair’s chief marketing officer Kenny Jacobs welcomed the news and used the opportunity to call claims management firms – which can pocket up to 50% of the compensation – “ambulance chasers”.

He said: “We welcome this county court ruling upholding Ryanair’s jurisdiction clause which prevents claims chaser firms deliberately and needlessly dragging consumers through the courts so they can grab up to 50% of customer’s compensation for providing no useful service.

“These ambulance chasers of the aviation industry are misleading customers, forcing them to sign liens and taking them through the courts so they can feather their own nests.”

Jacobs said Ryanair has the most on-time flights and the fewest cancellations in Europe and said the airline always complies with EU261 legislation when responding to claims. He urged passengers claiming compensation to go directly to Ryanair and said they would get 100% of their settlement if successful.

Hughes Walkers is taking the cases under EU regulation 261, which requires airlines to compensate passengers for delayed or cancelled flights.