Ryanair: refunds of over one and a half million euros to consumers

Ryanair has announced a significant commitment to refund more than €1.5 million to passengers who have incurred additional check-in costs. This decision is the result of an investigation closed by the Competition and Market Authority, following commercial practices considered unfair.

The accusations and the corrective measures

The Antitrust Authority has launched an investigation into Ryanair for possible violations of Articles 21 and 22 of the Consumer Code. It emerged that the information provided by the company regarding the conditions of online check-in could be misleading. In particular, consumers were not adequately informed about the period of availability of the service and the additional costs in case of failure to check-in by the deadline. Furthermore, when booking return tickets, the priority and carry-on baggage option was automatically applied to both legs, without users being able to select it separately.

Thanks to the commitments accepted by the Antitrust, Ryanair will fully reimburse consumers for an amount of 55 euros, corresponding to the cost of check-in carried out at the airport.

Refunds and changes to company policies

Between 2021 and 2023, over 100,000 passengers filed complaints regarding these practices. Refunds will include:

• 15 euros for those who checked in at the airport
• A voucher worth 20 euros to be used for Ryanair DAC services In addition to financial refunds, the airline has committed to changing the way options are selected during booking. Users will now be able to choose services for outbound and return trips separately, while also viewing separate unit prices. Ryanair has also committed to improving the clarity of information on its website and app regarding online check-in terms, including details of charges associated with airport check-in.

A look to the future

This commitment by Ryanair is an important step towards greater transparency in the services offered to consumers. With these changes, the company aims not only to resolve past disputes but also to prevent future misunderstandings. In a competitive environment such as low-cost aviation, the ability to adapt to customer needs could prove crucial to maintaining passenger trust in the long term.