Why Ryanair rejects so many claims
Ryanair is Europe's largest low-cost carrier and handles more EC261/UK261 disruptions in absolute terms than almost any other airline. Their strategy is volume-first: reject broadly, settle only when the claim becomes costly to defend. Many passengers accept rejection as final — Ryanair relies on this. Their first-response letters frequently cite extraordinary circumstances without specifying what event occurred or what measures were taken.
Step 1: Check your rejection letter for substance
Ryanair's first responses often use templated language: 'exceptional circumstances beyond our control' with no specific event cited. This is legally inadequate. They must identify the specific cause and explain what measures they took. If their rejection doesn't do this, it will not withstand ADR or court scrutiny.
Red flag: If Ryanair's rejection cites 'air traffic control restrictions' for a disruption that happened during a period when other airlines' flights on the same route operated normally, their defence is weak.
Step 2: Escalate based on departure country
Your escalation route depends on where the flight departed from — not where Ryanair is registered. Ryanair's Irish headquarters does not mean all claims go through Ireland.
- UK departure → UK: File a complaint with Ryanair's ADR scheme (Aviation ADR). If not resolved, file MCOL (county court online, £35–£70 fee).
- Irish departure (DUB/ORK/SNN) → Ireland: File a SARP complaint with the Commission for Aviation Regulation (CAR) at aviationreg.ie — free. Or file in the Irish Small Claims Court at scsOnline.ie for €25.
- French departure → France: File in Tribunal de proximité. Ryanair is not MTV member.
- German departure → Germany: File in Amtsgericht (local court). German courts routinely find against Ryanair on extraordinary circumstances.
- Spanish departure → Spain: File AESA complaint at reclamaciones.seguridadaerea.gob.es — free, binding determination.
Step 3: The Irish court route — Ryanair's home turf advantage reversed
Because Ryanair is incorporated in Ireland, Irish courts have jurisdiction over Ryanair regardless of where the flight departed. This is particularly useful for passengers from countries with weaker enforcement mechanisms — you can file in the Irish Small Claims Court online for €25 for claims up to €2,000. Ryanair almost invariably settles before a Small Claims hearing because the cost of defending exceeds the claim value.
What Ryanair can't argue — and often tries
- Late-arriving aircraft: Ryanair's tight rotational scheduling makes this a foreseeable risk — courts consistently reject it.
- Their own staff strikes: Pilot or cabin crew industrial action is not extraordinary (Krüsemann). Ryanair has tried this argument and lost.
- Vague weather claims: Citing 'adverse weather conditions' without specifying the meteorological event, affected airport, and authority documentation is legally insufficient.
- Aircraft change: Swapping aircraft is an operational decision entirely within Ryanair's control.
Pro tip
Always check fr24.com (Flightradar24) for your flight's status. Screenshot the departure and arrival times, any diversions, and the route flown. This data is often more accurate than what Ryanair provides and cannot be disputed.
CAR (Ireland's Commission for Aviation Regulation) has taken formal enforcement action against Ryanair multiple times for non-compliance with EC261. This track record makes CAR a credible and effective escalation pathway for Irish departures.