Passengers fight for flights refund

IRATE passengers are threatening to sue Ryanair after being denied a refund for a flight they claim was cancelled but later took off without them.

The holidaymakers were waiting in the departure lounge of Edinburgh Airport for a flight to Marrakech when they say Ryanair announced it had been axed due to strike action by Spanish air traffic controllers.

But when they contacted the airline to get their money back they were told the plane had departed after a short delay and the firm refused to pay up.

Now around 15 passengers left behind by flight FR6824 on December 4 hope to recoup their losses by taking Ryanair to the small claims court.

The aggrieved customers banded together after responding to an online post complaining about the alleged blunder on the website Tripadvisor.co.uk. Neale Gilhooley, one of the those reeling from the "disgraceful" treatment he received, said: "While queuing at the boarding gate as we were about to board this flight there was a tannoy announcement stating that flight had been cancelled due to industrial action.

"We were instructed to collect our luggage from the baggage hall and reschedule or seek a refund at the Ryanair website. There were at least 100 passengers in the queue and we all left the boarding gate.

"That day we applied to for a refund as instructed and two weeks ago Ryanair told us this flight left and we were not on board so there will be no refund for this or our return flight three days later. Our group paid 88 return each."

The 48-year-old graphic designer from Broughton Street, said he has been "stonewalled" by Ryanair and but that the airline confirmed that only 106 passengers travelled on a plane with a 189-seat capacity.

"It's disappointing at best and no way to treat customers," he said. "They aren't even acknowledging that they cancelled the flight and just want us to go away."

Another disgruntled passenger Derek Mitchell, 34, from Livingston, estimates he has lost around 300 in flights and hotel bookings.

"I think it's ridiculous," he said. "If this is not resolved the plan would be to pursue legal action as a point of principle."

A spokesman for Ryanair said passengers who feel their complaint has "not been dealt with" by the company's customer services department could approach the Civil Aviation Authority which is the "appropriate avenue" for redress.