Two Ryanair incidents in 24 hours

(Photo: ihateryanair.org)

Motor problems forces landing at Barcelona on Bristol-Reus flight · Tenerife flight forced to land at Madrid Barajas

SPAIN The Spanish media is full of these two incidents, which happened over the weekend. Just a few days ago, Ryanair's boss, the quotable Michael O'Leary, said that there were no more problems at Ryanair than anywhere else (See our Is Ryanair's cost-cutting dangerous?) and in any case, his airline's jurisdiction was in Ireland, not in Spain. In other words, he takes orders from his home turf, not to where his airline flies. On this subject, (you will soon be unable to read the rest of items like this unless you subscribe)

Is Ryan Air's cost-cutting dangerous?

(Photo:ihateryanair.org)

Six emergency landings to be investigated by Spanish air authority

VALENCIA The Irish low-cost carrier is notorious among the flying public for floating such ideas as standing-room only flights, or having to pay to use the toilet. It is also one of the of the world's top airlines because it offers excellent prices for most of its routes. This is achieved through strict cost-cutting measures, one of which has recently lead to the airline fueling policy. Earlier this week, three of the company's flights had to be diverted from Madrid Barajas to Valencia because of an electric storm. While they were queuing to land, one of them sent out a 'mayday' message that allowed it to be pushed to the front for a priority touch down - the other two flights did the same shortly afterwards. The reason for the emergency was given as that the planes did not have a drop more fuel to make it safely to the ground. A spokesperson for Ryan air>>>explained that only the absolute minimum of fuel required to cover each journey is placed in the tank - not a drop more. In other words, there is no room for emergencies such as those at Valencia.>>>

Ryanair policy of children's photo ID requirement, illegal in Spain

Michael O'Leary, Ryanair boss (EFE)

SPAIN (Agencies) Spain's National Institute of Consumers, part of the Health Ministry, has advised the public prosecutor's office to take action against Irish budget airline Ryanair for its practice of not allowing minors to fly without photo identification. Under Spanish law, under-14s are permitted to travel providing that their Libro de Familia (Family Record Book - an official document containing details of parents and offspring) is presented. Ryanair, however, refuses to allow passengers to fly if they do not produce either a passport or a national identity card. Etelvina Andreu, director of the National Institute of Consumers, described the company's practice as "completely illegal." Ryanair, however, argues that it "is an Irish company," and that the rules are "in its terms and conditions."

Facua can continue to publicly criticise Ryanair abuses, says court

'Abuses?' 'It's an Irish company!' 'Who could be surprised that we treat our passengers like sheep?' (By baby on floor:) MAXIMUM HAND LUGGAGE SIZE

(by Ricardo Tejeiro)

Ryanair sizzles passengers in Seville

SEVILLA (Agencies) An 18 month old baby needed treatment for dehydration and several adults fainted after Ryanair left the passengers on one of its flights on the tarmac at Sevilla airport for over two hours without air-conditioning last week. El Mundo reports that temperatures rose to nearly 50 degrees as the delayed flight from Sevilla to Pisa sat on the tarmac between 12.40 and 14.50 during the heat of the day. What’s more there were not enough bottles of water to go round, and so these were given only to the children. The captain told the passengers, only in English and Italian, that the compressor had failed, and that he was unable to start either the plane’s engines or the air conditioning. He said that if the steps were lowered they would lose their flight slot.>>>

Ryanair links Jerez and Barcelona

JEREZ (Agencies) Ryanair announced earlier this week that it is opening a route between Barcelona and Jerez from June 1. Flights are scheduled on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, with times to be published soon but a route opening one for €7 one way (plus taxes, etc.). The idea is to compete with the Spanish airline Vueling, which has daily flights on the same route. After recent refurbishment, the airport at Jerez (photo) is seeking business, and promises to become the main airport for the province of Cadiz and second only to Sevilla for Western Andalucia.

Judge annuls Ryanair's obligatory payment for printing tickets or boarding passes

SPAIN (Agencies) Further to our item last week on the subject, a judge in Barcelona has decreed the annulment of a clause in the contract between passengers and Ryanair whereby the airline obliges the passenger to print a ticket when booking online, but will charge €40 for doing so at the check-in counter. The judge, Bárbara María Córdoba of the 1st Mercantile Court of Barcelona, concludes that Ryanair is "subject to the general international laws as well as European and national ones", all of which place the obligation of issuing tickets and boarding passes on the airline, according to sentence issued by the court. In the meantime, and more recently, Ryanair issued a statement as follows: "Ryanair today (Jan 18) has instructed its Spanish lawyers to appeal what Ryanair believes is a bizarre and unlawful ruling by the Barcelona Commercial Court No.1 last week that Ryanair’s €40/£40 boarding card reissue fee is unlawful." (Read the full statement here.) Referring to a Junta de Andalucía warning about the charge (our item last week again), according to Europa Sur, Ryanair says that "the Junta doesn't know what it's talking about" and "there is no Spanish law that forbids" the charge. We were unable to find such a statement on the airline's website.