Latest News

Italian regulator drops Ryanair case after $1.6 mln consumer refund promise

Italy's antitrust authority ( AGCM) said on Thursday it had actually dropped a case against Ryanair after the lowcost airline committed to reimburse more than 1.5 million euros ($ 1.6 million) to clients who incurred in additional checkin costs.

Ryanair Italy did not instantly respond to an ask for comment.

The National Union of Consumers invited the statement from AGCM, but stated the regulator should have also fined the airline.

The authority said it had opened an investigation in 2023 into possible unreasonable commercial practices after problems that Ryanair had actually misinformed guests about its online check-in policy.

AGCM stated travelers were not properly notified about a. 55-euro surcharge for in-person check-in at the airport if they. missed a deadline for doing it online.

It also discovered that clients who paid for top priority boarding. and a hand baggage allowance on their outgoing flight were. automatically charged for those services on their return flight.

To settle the case, AGCM said Ryanair vowed to refund all. customers who throughout 2021-2023 submitted a problem about the. 55-euro surcharge, and pay back 15 euros or give a 20-euro. coupon to all passengers who paid the charge throughout the period.

The airline company also vowed to offer clearer details about. online check-in deadlines, to no longer automatically use. outbound charges to return flights, and to refund travelers who. complained about those charges.

(source: Reuters)