Ryanair haven't cancelled flights despite government advice against travel to Faro

hccox

We booked 6 return flights to Faro in Jan 2020 for a holiday and we are due to fly 24th July. Although government advice is not to travel to this area of Portugal unless essential, Ryanair have told us they are not cancelling the flights. Furthermore, they have told us our only option if we wish to follow government advice is to change the flights. Although they are offering to waive flight change fees on any new bookings, because we booked in January, they are charging us to re-arrange them and the costs of doing so are extortionate. The costs are £45 pp per flight, so with 6 of us, that's £540.00 with an additional £60.00 for 'baggage change' and that is before the cost of any fare difference is taken into account. As you can imagine, their fares seem to have risen for new bookings.

We have tried our travel insurance company and credit card provider with whom we booked. Both were very understanding and suprised about Ryanair's stance, considering the amount of money, but we are unable to claim on our insurance. Our credit card provider has said they can try to fight it for us but there is no guarantee and to avoid losing the entire original flight cost (£1,400) we need to re-book before 24th July.

Does anyone have any advice?

bagand96

I don't think a chargeback or Section 75 claim will work, if the flight goes ahead.

What reason did the travel insurance give for being unable to claim?

hccox

We had an annual policy that expired April. When we renewed (10th March) any claims as a result of restrictive government travel advice were excluded. Thanks for your response.

lincroft1710

As Ryanair is a company based in the Republic of Ireland, they probably don't heed advice from the UK govt

bagand96

lincroft1710 said:

As Ryanair is a company based in the Republic of Ireland, they probably don't heed advice from the UK govt

The advice is for travellers not airlines. There will be some people who are able to travel due to having an essential reason, may be exempt from quarantine, Portuguese nationals wanting to return home (likewise British nationals in Portugal wanting to get back). 

jfthomp

Hi,  We are in the same situation as you and our flight leaves today!  We booked in November and paid top wack to tie in with dog sitter.  Have always flown with Ryanair to Faro but not any more!  Put in a complaint on 14th and still no reply.  Only wanted to postpone not get a refund but they just do not care about their customers.  At least I feel better for not being alone in this. Good luck.

lincroft1710

jfthomp said:

Hi,  We are in the same situation as you and our flight leaves today!  We booked in November and paid top wack to tie in with dog sitter.  Have always flown with Ryanair to Faro but not any more!  Put in a complaint on 14th and still no reply.  Only wanted to postpone not get a refund but they just do not care about their customers.  At least I feel better for not being alone in this. Good luck.

If the flight was not cancelled, Ryanair do not have to do anything. It was your choice not to fly.

rachiemac85

We are in the same situation, I don’t understand how Ryanair are getting away with this?! Surely they mustn’t fulfilling their requirements to ensure everybody on the flight is essential travellers. It’s really shocking that they are either forcing us to lose our money or get on the flight and be uninsured whilst away! Is nobody responsible for holding them to account? 

bradders1983

Getting away with what? No crime is being committed. 

dinglebert

hccox said:

We had an annual policy that expired April. When we renewed (10th March) any claims as a result of restrictive government travel advice were excluded. Thanks for your response.

Hmm.  However that was not the case when you booked the flights which was under that policy and not the new one.  Surely they should be covering the flight under the policy you booked it not the next one?

RobM99

Total guess but I reckon every flight carries freight, hence the flight still going ahead. I could be totally wrong