We’d like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum.

This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are – or become – political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.

📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!

Unnecessarily cancelled flight

We booked a three day break in Budapest via Travelrepublic.com
I gave my card details and they paid flights with Ryanair, car parking at East Midlands airport, Accommodation in a hotel in Budapest and taxi transfers to and from the hotel.
East midlands airport was closed for a short while. In the meantime Ryanair cancelled all of it's flights. The airport opened again this morning and so the flight would not have been affected by the volcanic ash debacle. We could have gone to Budapest.
But because Ryanair cancelled the flight unnecesarily they have cost us the airport car parking, the taxi transfers and the hotel accommodation.
Is Ryanair liable for our holiday cost as they cancelled the flight needlessly and too far in advance?
Will our insurance cover it?
Ryanair will refund the cancelled flight, but as the cancellation was not necessary surely they should pay for the expense incurred due to their lack of foresight.
«13

Comments

  • moromir
    moromir Posts: 1,854 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    Are you sure your specific flight actually went?

    Airport closure doesn't just affect the flights during the time the airport is closed. It has massive knock on effects regarding staff allocation, aeroplane availability and runway allocation..
  • gordikin
    gordikin Posts: 4,422 Forumite
    Perhaps the flight was cancelled because your plane couldn't land at the airport when it was closed and therefore there was no plane for your flight?
  • Cityboy_2
    Cityboy_2 Posts: 123 Forumite
    sjrw123 wrote: »
    We booked a three day break in Budapest via Travelrepublic.com
    I gave my card details and they paid flights with Ryanair, car parking at East Midlands airport, Accommodation in a hotel in Budapest and taxi transfers to and from the hotel.
    East midlands airport was closed for a short while. In the meantime Ryanair cancelled all of it's flights. The airport opened again this morning and so the flight would not have been affected by the volcanic ash debacle. We could have gone to Budapest.
    But because Ryanair cancelled the flight unnecesarily they have cost us the airport car parking, the taxi transfers and the hotel accommodation.
    Is Ryanair liable for our holiday cost as they cancelled the flight needlessly and too far in advance?
    Will our insurance cover it?
    Ryanair will refund the cancelled flight, but as the cancellation was not necessary surely they should pay for the expense incurred due to their lack of foresight.

    Airline is not responsible for your consequential losses howsoever caused.
    Try your insurance.
  • whatmichaelsays
    whatmichaelsays Posts: 2,927 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    The claim that the cancellation was "unnecessary" is a bit misguided - why would Ryanair willingly cancel a flight without good cause?

    Problems can continue well after airspace reopens. A significant number of flight cancellations are due not to the ash cloud but due to logistical problems, such as planes and crew being in the wrong places having been stranded at various airports once airspace closes. The problems are exacerbated for budget airlines due to the fact that their aircraft work on very short turnarounds.

    There's little that the airlines can do about that.
    Hi, we’ve had to remove your signature. If you’re not sure why please read the forum rules or email the forum team if you’re still unsure - MSE ForumTeam
  • exel1966
    exel1966 Posts: 5,078 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    edited 17 May 2010 at 3:11PM
    sjrw123 wrote: »
    Ryanair cancelled the flight unnecesarily - they cancelled the flight needlessly - the cancellation was not necessary - Ryanair cancelled the flight unnecesarily.


    And that's your Professional opinion based on the fact that you are involved in and have superior knowledge of how airlines operate, how the VAAC works, how met office predictions are modelled, how the UK Air Traffic Control System works OR because you know very little and just want to knock Ryanair ? Yawwwwnnnn !
  • melb
    melb Posts: 2,887 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    I do think ryanair have been doing wholesale cancellations of flights - just think of the money they save every time they don't have to send an aeroplane with only a quarter of the seats sold and those that were sold were at silly low prices. Even with refunds of various lots of £3 they'll be quids in. Bet they wish they could do it more often!
  • moromir
    moromir Posts: 1,854 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    melb wrote: »
    just think of the money they save every time they don't have to send an aeroplane with only a quarter of the seats sold

    :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:


    From the article "Airlines lose $1.7B over cancelled flights" http://www.thespec.com/article/755948
    Airlines lost $400 million each day during the first three days of grounding, Bisignani told a news conference Wednesday. At one stage, 29 per cent of global aviation and 1.2 million passengers a day were affected by the airspace closure ordered by European governments, who feared the risk that volcanic ash could pose to airplanes.
  • melb
    melb Posts: 2,887 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    sorry was that supposed to be in some way related to my post?
  • moromir
    moromir Posts: 1,854 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    melb wrote: »
    sorry was that supposed to be in some way related to my post?

    No. I thought I'd quote your post for the heck of it :rotfl:

    Of course it is. The idea that the airline is somehow saving money by cancelling a flight is ridiculous.
  • sjrw123
    sjrw123 Posts: 13 Forumite
    edited 17 May 2010 at 3:38PM
    Thanks for all your comments which, on the whole, are very helpful. Things that you just don't think about when you feel that you have been robbed of a short break.
    exel1966 thank you for your very pompous, bombastic and self-serving knocks. How little you know about the people who turn to forums like this for HELP and ADVICE.
    There's no such thing as a stupid question, and even if you disagree courtesy helps.
This discussion has been closed.
Meet your Ambassadors

🚀 Getting Started

Hi new member!

Our Getting Started Guide will help you get the most out of the Forum

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 352.1K Banking & Borrowing
  • 253.5K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 454.2K Spending & Discounts
  • 245.1K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 600.7K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 177.4K Life & Family
  • 258.9K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 16.2K Discuss & Feedback
  • 37.6K Read-Only Boards

Is this how you want to be seen?

We see you are using a default avatar. It takes only a few seconds to pick a picture.