Ryanair ordered to reimburse passenger after cancelled flight dispute

A tribunal has ordered Ryanair to reimburse a passenger €502 after ruling the airline failed to meet its obligations under EU air passenger rights law following a flight cancellation.

The case centred on a dispute between the passenger and the airline over whether the cost of an alternative flight should be refunded, despite the passenger being notified of the cancellation well in advance.

The claimant had booked a flight from Malta to Billund, Denmark scheduled for 30 March 2026. However, on 5 February 2026, the airline informed him the flight had been cancelled, more than 14 days before departure.

Ryanair argued that, under EU law, this advance notice meant the passenger was not entitled to compensation. It maintained its only obligation was to refund the original ticket price.

The passenger did not seek compensation. Instead, he filed a claim under the European Small Claims Procedure on 20 May 2025, requesting reimbursement of €502, the cost of a replacement flight he had purchased after the cancellation.

The airline formally contested the claim in February 2026.

Under Regulation (EC) No 261/2004, passengers whose flights are cancelled must be offered a choice between a full refund of the ticket, re-routing to their destination at the earliest opportunity, or re-routing at a later date of their choosing. While compensation depends on when the passenger is informed of the cancellation, these rights apply regardless of notice.

Central to the case was whether the airline had fulfilled its duty to offer re-routing.

Evidence presented to the Tribunal showed that the passenger had requested an alternative flight. However, the airline responded that no such option was available and offered only a refund.

Faced with no alternative from the airline, the passenger purchased a new ticket costing €502, later submitting proof of the expense.

The Tribunal found that Ryanair had failed to comply with its obligations under EU law. It ruled that offering only a refund was insufficient, as airlines are required to provide passengers with a genuine choice, including re-routing options. Because this was not offered, the tribunal concluded that the passenger had been forced to make his own arrangements and incur additional costs.

Although the passenger was not entitled to compensation due to the early notice of cancellation, the Tribunal held that he was entitled to reimbursement of the expenses he incurred.

The tribunal ordered Ryanair to pay the passenger €502, pay interest at a rate of 8% from 6 February 2025 until the date of payment and to cover all legal costs related to the proceedings.

The small claims tribunal was presided over by lawyer Christopher Chircop.