Rocio Concha, Which? Director of Policy and Advocacy, said: "Thousands of Ryanair customers whose flights were delayed or cancelled as a result of staff strike action in 2018 have faced a protracted wait for the compensation they are owed, with the airline fighting the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to avoid its legal responsibilities to passengers every step of the way. "Now that Ryanair has decided to drop its Supreme Court appeal and pay out, anyone impacted in 2018 should make a claim, and Ryanair must ensure money owed reaches affected passengers as soon as possible. "No traveller should have to wait years for the compensation they are legally entitled to, and this episode underlines current weaknesses in the CAA's powers, as they are reliant on lengthy court action. The government must urgently set out plans for strengthening the aviation regulator's powers so it can hold airlines accountable when they flout the law. Without decisive action, airlines will continue to be emboldened to mistreat passengers and neglect their legal responsibilities." -ENDS- Notes to editors: Which? is currently campaigning to , and at the time of writing, over 43,000 people have signed the consumer champion's petition to the Secretary of State for Transport demanding urgent action. Please find a link to view it The consumer champion is calling for: - Enforcement - The CAA should be doing more by holding airlines to account proactively. It also needs direct powers to monitor and fine airlines when they flout the rules.
- Resolution - We need a dispute resolution system that is mandatory for all airlines flying to and from the UK so travellers don't have to go to the small claims court to enforce their rights.
- Compensation - We need to protect passengers' rights to redress when airlines are at fault for delays and cancellations. Proposals to slash pay-outs for domestic flights must be dropped.
