The low-cost carrier said it supported Liverpool County Court’s upholding of its own policy requiring consumers using third-party claims management firms to win compensation using EU Regulation 261 to be heard through the Irish legal system.
Ryanair said the need for cases to be heard in its native country fell under a jurisdiction clause which has been part of its customer Terms & Conditions since 2010 to “protect consumers and force UK claims chasers to discontinue their abusive practices of charging consumers up to 50% of their compensation payment.”
However, if an individual UK customer were to have their EU261 claim made directly to Ryanair rejected, then that customer would be free to pursue claim in the UK courts if they wish, the airline added.
Ryanair insisted that it wanted “all customers with valid EU261 compensation claims” to submit their claims directly to the carrier and avoid fees from third-party companies.
The carrier also called on the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) to “enforce better regulations” on claims management companies in order to protect consumers.
Kenny Jacobs, chief marketing officer said: “We welcome this County Court ruling upholding Ryanair’s jurisdiction clause which prevents claims chaser firms deliberately and needlessly dragging consumers through the courts so they can grab up to 50% of customer’s compensation, for providing no useful service.
“As the most reliable airline in Europe, Ryanair has the most on-time flights and the fewest cancellations, and in the rare event of delays or cancellations, we comply fully with all EU261 legislation. Where customers have a valid claim for compensation they can make their claim directly on the Ryanair.com website and avoid these claims chasers deductions.
“These ambulance chasers of the aviation industry are misleading customers, forcing them to sign liens and taking them through the courts so they can feather their own nests, and then charging up to 50% of the compensation due for simply submitting a claim that can be made free of charge on the Ryanair.com website.
“We call on the CMA to enforce better regulation and we urge customers with valid claims to avoid being ripped off by these anti-consumer practices by simply submitting their claims directly on the Ryanair.com website.”
