A Ryanair strike is disrupting your flight? Get compensation!

In the event of a Ryanair strike announcement, your travel plans may be completely disrupted. Indemniflight clarifies the possible recourse and the steps to take to claim your rights in the event of flight disruption caused by a social movement. Strikes in the aviation sector typically fall under two scenarios:

• If the strike is not the airline’s responsibility, the airline is still required to grant you compensation. However, if the airline can demonstrate that the strike was unforeseeable and beyond its control, your rights may be compromised.
• On the other hand, if the strike is caused by Ryanair and its staff, the airline is legally obliged to compensate you, regardless of the situation.

So, are you eligible for compensation? What are the correct steps to take in such a situation? Here’s everything you need to know as an air passenger.

How to claim compensation when you’re a victim of a strike?

Ryanair is an airline that has already experienced several flight cancellations due to aircraft strikes. Generally, such situations significantly impact their customers’ travel plans. Indeed, a delayed, cancelled, or overbooked flight can jeopardize vacations or business appointments.

When this happens to you, it’s important not to just sit back and let frustration take over. To do so, Indemniflight explains all the steps you need to take to receive compensation during a strike.

Your rights in the case of a disrupted flight

The European Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 sets uniform guidelines to protect the rights of air passengers. According to this regulation, any passenger who experiences a flight incident is eligible to receive compensation, provided they meet certain criteria:

• This compensation varies depending on the distance of the flight.
• You can assert this right several years after the incident. In fact, the statute of limitations in France is 5 years, but it varies by country. For example, it is 3 years in Germany and 6 years in the UK.

The waiting times to know for potential compensation

In addition to compensation, you can request assistance from the airline in the event of a flight delay due to a strike. To be eligible, you must meet the following conditions:

• 2 hours of waiting for a short-haul flight (less than 1500 km);
• 3 hours of waiting for a medium-haul flight (between 1500 and 3500 km);
• 4 hours of waiting for a long-haul flight (over 3500 km).

But, what does this assistance include? In fact, you are entitled to receive a meal and drink from the airline while you wait for your flight. You can also make two phone calls and send two emails at Ryanair’s expense. Additionally, after 5 hours of waiting, you are also entitled to request a refund for your ticket. You will receive your refund from Ryanair within 7 days following your claim.

What are the conditions to meet to receive compensation?

According to the law, you must be compensated in the event of a flight disruption. However, this compensatory right is subject to certain conditions, primarily concerning:

• The route. The law states that your flight must have taken off or landed at an airport in the EU for you to be eligible for compensation. In addition to this requirement, the airline must have its headquarters in an EU member state for its flights landing at an airport in this territory to be covered by Regulation EC 261/2004.
• The carrier’s responsibility. It must be undeniable for you to be entitled to compensation.
• The duration of the flight delay. The delay at landing must be greater than or equal to 3 hours for the airline to be required to compensate you.

Exceptions that deprive you of your passenger rights

Strikes are not always predictable. If Ryanair proves that a social movement could not have been anticipated, it is not obligated to pay compensation to passengers. Additionally, a notification from the airline explicitly informing you that your flight will be cancelled due to a Ryanair strike is also sufficient to deprive you of any compensatory rights. However, this notification must reach you at least 14 days before your departure date to be valid.

The right actions to take in case of a strike by the airline

If you have to deal with the inconvenience caused by a social movement, it is important to take steps to avoid being at a disadvantage. Not only should you request compensation if it is not provided automatically, but you should also try to understand the cause of the strike.

Additionally, we recommend gathering all information and documents that can strengthen your claim for a refund or compensation, including:

• The boarding pass.
• The reservation confirmation.
• The electronic ticket.
• All invoices and receipts for purchases related to your travel.

Amount of compensation you can receive for a flight cancellation due to a Ryanair strike

The amount of compensation provided by regulations varies. To calculate the amount you may be entitled to, the length of the flight must be taken into account. Here are the details:

Distance traveled	Amount of compensation
Flight under 1500 km	250 euros
Flight between 1500 km and 3500 km	450 euros
Flight over 3500 km	600 euros

Ryanair does not hesitate to invoke “exceptional circumstances” to avoid its obligation to compensate customers in the event of strike action. To receive the compensation you are entitled to following a flight disruption, you can entrust us with your case. Simply visit our website to check your eligibility and submit your file. Then, all you have to do is wait while our experts fight on your behalf against this low-cost airline.

Possible solutions during a strike

It’s clear that a strike can really ruin your plans. A cancelled, delayed, or overbooked flight can prevent you from attending a friend’s wedding, joining an important meeting, returning from vacation on time, and more.

To minimize the impact on your side, it is wise to consider another way to complete your journey.

Book another flight

Although Ryanair’s prices remain relatively affordable, it is not the only airline with a low-cost policy. You can therefore turn to a competing budget airline for your booking. If you’re not constrained by budget or absolutely cannot miss your plans, you can also opt for traditional airlines. In any case, you should be able to find a flight that departs soon enough.

Choose another means of transport

Flying is not the only way to travel. There are others: by road, rail, or sea. Sometimes, the train is an excellent alternative that can help you reach your destination with only a moderate delay. If you choose this option, you should still claim your compensation afterward.

Steps to obtain compensation directly from Ryanair

If Ryanair must compensate you, the amount varies depending on the distance of your flight:

• €250 for journeys up to 1,500 km;
• €400 for EU flights between 1,500 and 3,500 km;
• €600 for flights over 3,500 km.

To submit a claim directly to the airline, you must:

• send a written claim with all supporting documents and their respective amounts,
• contact the Directorate General for Civil Aviation (DGAC) if compensation is denied,
• or take legal action.

Why contact Indemniflight in case of disruption with your flight?

The process is often long and not always successful. In fact, airlines often refer to extraordinary circumstances to avoid compensating their customers, even in the case of social movements.

That’s why we recommend using Indemniflight to help with your claim! Simply submit all your documentation through our website. Once received, our experts will handle your case for free against Ryanair. Our teams support you from start to finish to help you get the compensation you deserve as quickly as possible. We only take 35% of the compensation if the operation is successful. Don’t wait any longer and submit your file!

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