Ryanair strike: Passengers hit out at airline after Christmas strike threatens to ruin festive plans

Ryanair customers say they have been left frustrated by the lack of information
AFP/Getty Images
Martin Coulter16 December 2017

A 24-hour walk-out by Irish Ryanair plans has thrown thousands of Brit's Christmas plans into turmoil.

Many passengers have accused the airline of keeping them in the dark over whether an upcoming strike would affect their flights.

The Irish Air Line Pilots' Association announced on Tuesday that 79 Ryanair pilots will strike for one day on Wednesday December 20 - with just five days to go before Christmas.

Despite a wave of complaints and queries, customers accused the budget airline of failing to make clear exactly how the strike could impact those expecting to fly between the UK and Ireland on Wednesday.

A standard Ryanair Boeing 737-800 plane can ferry 189 passengers at a time, with the day's eight round-trips penned in between Dublin and Stansted due to ferry more than 3,000 travellers alone.

Ms Carvalho plans to take her 10-month-old son home for Christmas
Belinda Carvalho

Belinda Carvalho, 31, booked flights for her and her husband Adrian to Cork in February, hoping to spend her newborn son Xavier's first Christmas with her extended family.

When Ms Carvalho, a librarian who lives in Walthamstow, heard news of the upcoming strike, she, like hundreds of others online, contacted Ryanair to ask if she should rearrange her travel plans.

The new mum says the company failed to clarify whether or not her specific flight would be affected - saying they would deal with disruptions "if or when they arise" - and added that she was told it would cost £400 to re-book.

She has since booked new flights with a different airline.

She told the Standard: "It's really weird. I just wanted them to be straight with me about what was going on instead of just leaving me hanging.

Hundreds of customers asked Ryanair for clarification
Twitter

"Obviously I've really been looking forward to spending Christmas time with my family, and there's an engagement party we're due at on the 21st...We just couldn't take the risk."

Chloe Markham, an online merchandising manager based in London, said she was frustrated with Ryanair's apparent inaction.

She said: "I've got a flight from London Stansted to Shannon on Wednesday. If flights are going to be cancelled I need to know as soon as possible so I can make other arrangements.

"Surely I'll be reimbursed if so? I don't want another automated response - I need an answer."

When the Standard contacted Ryanair for further details, a spokesman said: "We have nothing further to add to our statement."

The firm's original statement reads: "Ryanair will deal with any disruptions (at Dublin on December 20) if and when they arise.

"We apologise sincerely to our customers for any worry this threatened action by less than 28 per cent of our Dublin pilots may cause."

The airline released a fresh statement on Thursday promising to publish a "contingency plan".

It read: "Ryanair will publish contingency plans to minimise...disruptions for our customers on Monday December 18 on our website.

"We apologise sincerely to our customers for any worry or concern that this threatened action...may cause them.

"Rest assured we will do everything we can to minimise disruption for our customers."

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