Ryanair refusing to return tax

Stuartieg3_2

Hi,
I booked flights from Edinburgh to Tenerife South for a small group last year, using Ryanair's standard booking form on their website. Unfortunately, one of the group was unable to travel, so i asked ryanair for a refund of his tax (using the link on their website to ask for it back.
The flights themselves were roughly £173pp return, i could not find a breakdown of tax but according to the information i could find it should be in the region of £70 (as the distance from Edinburgh to Tenerife South is over 2,000 miles).

Ryanair said they would get back to me within a week, however two months later i have finally had a response saying i am sure no tax back as it was a special no tax fare and these costs were absorbed by the airline??!

"With regard to your request for a refund of government tax on flight reservation XXXXXX, I can confirm that the ticket you purchased is a ‘no tax special offer fare’ and Ryanair have absorbed the costs of the taxes in this instance.

Given the above there is no refund due."

The flight prices varied between £70 return and £220 return as i searched at various times - so i find it hard to believe that £173 was a no tax special offer fare as they claim.
Any advice on what to do next?
Thanks,
Stuart

Caz3121

It looks from their website as if Ryanair charge a maximum of £13 APD for flights (£26 for a return UK domestic flight)..this does sound the case if they are offering flights for £70 return where the taxes for +2000miles would be £75 alone
If this is the case then the £17 admin fee to process the transaction would wipe out any refund
https://www.ryanair.com/gb/en/useful-info/help-centre/faq-overview/Making-a-reservation/What-taxes-fees-and-charges-may-be-charged-by-Ryanair
https://www.ryanair.com/gb/en/useful-info/help-centre/faq-overview/Flight-Changes-And-Refunds/Can-i-get-a-refund-of-the-government-tax

leylandsunaddict

The only tax you can reclaim is APD which is £13 leaving the UK. They don't have any flights long enough to incur the next APD level. Their admin fee is £17. They're not refusing to refund, there just isn't anything to claim.

Edinburgh to Tenerife is not over 2000 miles! It's 1768 nm or 3274kms.

Caz3121

leylandsunaddict wrote: »

Edinburgh to Tenerife is not over 2000 miles! It's 1768 nm or 3274kms.

In fairness there is not always reference to APD distance being measured in 'nautical miles', whilst under 2000 miles in nautical miles the route is over 2000 in 'miles'
[I learnt something new today - stick to greatcirclemapper as the other mileage sites do not use nautical miles]

leylandsunaddict

Caz3121 wrote: »

In fairness there is not always reference to APD distance being measured in 'nautical miles', whilst under 2000 miles in nautical miles the route is over 2000 in 'miles'
[I learnt something new today - stick to greatcirclemapper as the other mileage sites do not use nautical miles]

Yep, greatcirclemapper is the method used to calculate the bandings. The Canary Islands are listed as being in Band A. The bandings are based from capital to capital so in this instance its London to Santa Cruz de Tenerife.