Ryanair cancels flights amid planned strikes at Italian airports including Milan & Rome - how to claim refund

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Ryanair has announced the cancellation of several flights scheduled for Wednesday (September 25) due to planned strikes at Italian airports.

The industrial action by the airport ground handlers is set to impact major hubs, including Bologna, Milan, Rome, and Venice, causing significant disruption for travellers - but what are your rights as passengers?

According to Claims.co.uk, affected passengers have the rights to either claim a full refund from the airline. A spokesperson said: “For travellers going to or from Italy in the coming days, it is important to be aware of your rights if your flight is delayed or cancelled. If you have booked a package holiday and your flights are cancelled, you have the rights to either claim a full refund, a reroute of the trip destination and potentially compensation from the airline.”

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However, the spokesperson said the “delays and cancellations caused by air traffic control restrictions are considered an ‘extraordinary circumstance’ and therefore do not qualify for compensation.” In such cases, airlines are required to provide additional services depending on the length of the delay.

AFP via Getty Images

Passengers are entitled to “free meals and refreshments” when their flight is delayed by at least two hours, as well as “free overnight accommodation and a transfer to and from the airport” if their flight is rescheduled to the next day.

If a travel operator cancels a package holiday, they must notify travellers as soon as possible to allow sufficient time for alternative arrangements or refunds. The spokesperson stressed that “if you are at the airport when the flight is cancelled, it is advised that you contact your travel company straight away to talk through your options.”

If a delay lasts more than five hours but the flight is not cancelled, passengers have the right to choose not to travel and receive a full refund. If the flight cannot be rearranged, the travel company must offer either an alternative holiday or a full refund of the package price, not just the flight portion.

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Travellers are encouraged to “continue checking the latest updates on their flight tracker, on the app, official website or on official social media channels before heading to the airport.”

When deciding whether to claim a full refund or reschedule a holiday, several factors should be considered:

  • Refund Amount: A full refund may be more financially appealing, especially if future travel plans are uncertain.
  • Availability: Assess whether the alternative dates offered by the travel operator suit your schedule.
  • Change Fees: Check if the operator is waiving any fees for changing travel dates, as these could affect your decision.
  • Travel Insurance: Review your insurance policy to see if it covers cancellations due to unforeseen circumstances.

Claims.co.uk also advises that “if you received less than 14 days’ notice of the cancellation, you can claim compensation,” which can be awarded in pounds or euros depending on the departure location. The compensation amounts are as follows:

  • £220 / €250 for flights of 1,500 km or less (e.g., Glasgow to Amsterdam);
  • £350 / €400 for flights between 1,500 km and 3,500 km (e.g., East Midlands to Marrakech);
  • £520 / €600 for all other flights (e.g., London to New York).

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