Paying for reasonable services versus lining one's pocket- good service or insurance?

Ryanair must pay accommodation, meals and other - The Irish Times - Fri, Feb 01, 2013: "Ryanair must pay accommodation, meals and other expenses to passengers who were affected by the 2010 volcanic ash cloud, the European Court of Justice ruled yesterday.

In a decision that could have implications for the airline industry, the EU’s highest court said the airline must pay meals, accommodation and transport, and “means of communication with third parties” for passengers who were affected. However, it is exempt from paying statutory compensation.

Ryanair said the decision would lead to higher fares for passengers, and warned that airlines were becoming “the insurer of last resort” in cases where delays are “entirely beyond the airline’s control”.

‘Regret’

“Ryanair regrets the decision of the European court, which now allows passengers to claim for flight delays which are clearly and unambiguously outside of an airline’s control,” the airline said in a statement.

The airline also pointed out that travel insurers were exempted from liability by claiming the event was “an act of God”."

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