Ryanair apologises for bounced cheques
Ryanair has apologised after a number of passengers complained that cheques issued as compensation had bounced.
The airline said “a very small number of cheques” processed in July had been issued without a signature due to an “administrative error”.
Consumer complaints service Resolver said it was aware a number of Ryanair passengers had encountered problems with unsigned cheques issued when flights had been delayed or cancelled.
Ryanair said the cheques had been reissued to customers with a letter of explanation on August 15.
It tweeted: “Due to an admin error a small number of cheques (less than 190 out of 20,000 compensation cheques in July) were posted without a required signatory. These cheques were re-issued last week and we apologise sincerely for this inconvenience which arose out of the desire to issue these compensation cheques quickly to our customers.”
A number of passengers complained they had been delayed in receiving compensation because their cheques had failed to clear.
One wrote on Twitter on August 14: “@Ryanair I have been trying to get hold of someone urgently as my bank are concerned because a compensation cheque that I received has bounced, i think that this is outrageous, the bank said the bank details provided do not exist... how is this possible with a printed cheque...”
Another passenger wrote on Facebook on July 28: “Ryanair sent me a cheque for compensation then BOUNCED the cheque..ended up costing me €32 for the privilege. SHAME ON YOU RYANAIR.
Another passenger tweeted on August 9: “@Ryanair I would love to know why the cheque you sent me for compensation has bounced... Bank assure me this is your fault, wait 1 hour 20 on hold and your ‘customer services’ can’t help and there is no number to call to those who can? Please assure me of a call to fix this asap.”
The passenger said they were still waiting for the money 11 days later, writing to the airline: “Have contacted your call centre numerous times and just get a generic email saying my case is being delayed because I am obviously not the only person waiting for over a month for compensation...”
