Ryanair passengers will be entitled to ‘substantial compensation’ after cancellations

Most passengers affected by a raft of Ryanair flight cancellations will be entitled to substantial compensation, an Irish solicitor has said.

Cathal Maher, who works in Paris with BHM Penlaw, told The Irish Times that the vast majority of those affected would be eligible for at least €250 in compensation under the Flight Compensation Regulation 261/2004.

However, Mr Maher warned that Ryanair would likely have “a team of lawyers ready for this and the airline could put up all sorts of obstacles in the way of passengers”.

He said: “By my estimation, as many as 95 per cent of those who have flights cancelled will be entitled to compensation. On top of that, the airline will also have a duty of care to people who have been stranded overseas. People who are unable to recoup money paid out for accommodation or car hire or anything else will be out of pocket.”

Ryanair today cancelled more than 50 flights across Europe, including six flights today between Dublin and Amsterdam, Brussels, Manchester, London, Bristol and Barcelona, three flights tomorrow between Dublin and Berlin, Glasgow and Kraków, and four flights on Wednesday between Dublin and Paris, Manchester, Amsterdam and Bristol.

Ryanair spokesperson Kenny Jacobs said they were cancelled because the airline had “messed up in the planning of pilot holidays”.