The move by the Belgian Ryanair cabin crew between April 22 and 24 led to the cancellation of several airlines from Brussels and Charleroi airports. In this case, the passenger is entitled to an alternative flight or refund and damages. This has been the case since 2004 when European laws were tightened to better protect passengers.

Refunds happen very quickly, but claims issues for damages are currently being reported on a large scale. Passengers are required to fill out an online form, but this will complicate matters when claiming compensation and the system that works on the reference of the reservation number will prevent them from mentioning the correct flight number. Eva de Bleiker (photo) talks about “almost voluntary opposition from Ryan Air”.

When companies deliberately complicate the exercise of legal or contractual rights, it is an unfair trade practice that leads to sanctions. If the offense is committed by a foreign company, the financial auditor is qualified to notify the relevant foreign authorities.

Travelers who are victims of this method are invited to contact the Economic Inspectorate through the reporting point “pointdecontact.belgique.be”. “We are collecting all the information and passing it on to the Irish authorities and asking them to intervene. They are capable and can impose sanctions on Ryanair so that the airline can assume its responsibilities and pay compensation to the injured passengers, “said Secretary of State.