Ryanair Denies £240 Refund After 6-Hour Tarmac Ordeal

A passenger from Bishop’s Tawton in Devon endured a six-hour tarmac delay on a Ryanair flight from Bristol to Dublin during Storm Amy last October. The plane attempted to land in Dublin twice before diverting to Manchester, 160 miles away. Travelers remained confined onboard without complimentary refreshments.

Extended Delay Without Support

Passengers finally disembarked at midnight. Ryanair provided no taxis or accommodation. The Devon resident submitted a £240 claim for taxi and hotel costs, which the airline rejected outright. Ryanair insisted the flight had landed in Dublin as planned.

Bizarre Rejection Follows

Two weeks later, Ryanair contacted the passenger, claiming a rebooked Dublin flight departed Manchester while they were still onboard the grounded aircraft. The airline invalidated the expenses claim due to the alleged no-show but offered no proof of the replacement flight’s existence.

Ryanair Reverses Stance

Ryanair later admitted passengers were “incorrectly advised” and agreed to refund the flight cost along with hotel and taxi expenses. The carrier also reversed its initial position that the open onboard bar satisfied delay regulations, conceding it was a paid service rather than the free refreshments required after two hours.

Other affected passengers on the flight can submit claims through Ryanair’s online portal.