Ryanair was yesterday ordered to pay £2,785 compensation to seven passengers stranded on a trip to Paris after bad weather led to the cancellation of flights.
The airline denied liability for the alternative travel arrangements the seven had to make with Aer Lingus and claimed they were only entitled to a refund for the return leg of their Ryanair journey.
The Small Claims Court heard that they were among 200 passengers scheduled to fly out of Beauvais at 9.50 a.m., but shortly after they arrived and booked in, they were told the flight had been cancelled because of bad weather.
When they asked when the next flight might be, they were informed the first available one would be over a week later as all other aircraft were booked out until then. They could go on standby but there was little likelihood of a seat.
They were also told that they could get a refund - in two months - and if they wanted to go back into Paris, they should do so quickly as the last coach would be departing shortly. They would have to make their own accommodation arrangements and could not stay in the Beauvais terminal as it closed at 10 p.m. The company intends to appeal the decision to the Circuit Court.