CMA launches action against British Airways and Ryanair over refund denial

Airlines British Airways and Ryanair are being subject to regulatory action following reports that they denied refunds for flights during lockdown.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has today launched cases into the airlines regarding their failure to give refunds to customers who were legally unable to take flights during government restrictions.

The CMA has opened enforcement cases into both firms and written to them detailing its concerns.

The news follows reports that during periods of lockdown across the UK, British Airways and Ryanair refused to give refunds to people that were lawfully unable to fly - with British Airways offering vouchers or rebooking and Ryanair providing the option to rebook.

Andrea Coscelli, chief executive of the CMA, commented: “While we understand that airlines have had a tough time during the pandemic, people should not be left unfairly out of pocket for following the law.

“Customers booked these flights in good faith and were legally unable to take them due to circumstances entirely outside of their control. We believe these people should have been offered their money back.”