Swords (Dublin) District Court’s recent ruled that no EU261 compensation was due to customers whose flights were delayed/cancelled because of internal strike action in Ryanair last year, as such strikes are beyond the airline’s control.

Ryanair said in a a statement: “Ryanair fully complies with all EU261 legislation and has re-accommodated or refunded all customers affected by the small number of strike delays/cancellations, and provided full assistance to customers where needed, including accommodation, meals and rerouting.
However, as these cancellations are beyond Ryanair’s control, no EU261 compensation payments are due, as confirmed by this Swords District Court ruling.”

Ryanair’s Kenny Jacobs said:

“We welcome this ruling by Swords District Court confirming that no compensation is payable to customers when the (strike) delay/cancellation is beyond the airline’s control. If these strikes, by a tiny minority of Ryanair crew, were within Ryanair’s control, there would be no strikes and no delays/cancellations.
This ruling follows similar court decisions in Barcelona, Badajoz, Orense or Pontevedra in Spain. Ryanair fully complies with all EU261 legislation and processes all valid EU261 claims within an industry leading 10 days.”

This ruling can be precedent for other airlines as well. Based on this decision if your flights get delayed / cancelled because of the strike action of the airline employees, you can get a refund or to get rerouted. If you are stuck somewhere meal vouchers, and some kind of accommodation should be provided to you as well.

In reality, the airline may offer you to fly with the next available flight, however many routes served only a few times a week, so most probably you will have to wait many days to get a free seat on a plane.

Source: Ryanair