MEP welcomes Ryanair refunds
MEP Simon Busuttil has welcomed a statement by Ryanair that it will be refunding any departure tax it collected in error.
"This is precisely what I sought from the beginning and this is why I brought this issue to public attention," Dr Busuttil affirmed.
He received complaints from several individuals claiming that they were still charged departure tax by Ryanair for flights purchased before November 1 but taking place after that date. He contacted Ryanair about the matter but the airline replied that they would await "formal notification" before updating their records.
Dr Busuttil claimed that such a reply was not satisfactory, especially since the Department of Civil Aviation confirmed that Ryanair had in fact been notified well in advance about removal of the departure tax.
Following the pressure put on the airline, Ryanair adjusted its tariffs to reflect the removal of the departure tax and it has also publicly offered to refund departure tax collected in error, Dr Busuttil said.
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s.grech
Dec 3rd 2008, 12:41
@IGalea
Yes service plain and simple . Flights so far always before schedule. Proper sandwich not a cold dry bun .
lgalea
Dec 2nd 2008, 22:44
s.grech
Did you consider the service?
p.piscitelli
We don't need quantity, but quality.
It's better to have 10 tourists spending €100 each than having 100 tourists spending €10 each because the effect of the 100 tourists on the infrastructure including water and electricity will be 10 times more.
Mark A L
Dec 2nd 2008, 22:11
As far as I know I always saw the amount to be paid and taxes due prior to actually effecting payment on the Ryanair website. Had I been unsatisfied and found a better deal I would have simply passed on to a different provider. Previously I used to spend much much more and have to catch two planes each way to travel to one destination spending around 10 to 16 hours travelling when today thanks to Ryanair I am at my destination within 2 hours and sometimes spending less money than a crossing to Gozo with my car. Wake up and realise what is good. After all Ryanair informed that they will be refunding any excess tax for those interested in claiming it back. Had they been the cheats some persons below are trying to portray them to be, they would have been out of business a long time ago. Can one actually think Ryanair will miss Malta if they decide to give it up? Who would the loosers be ultmately? I would like to thank Ryanair for the good service I and my family have always received when using their service, and that is quite often. Thank you.
David Battistino
Dec 2nd 2008, 20:08
I agree with Mr Tony Cassar. I for one made use of this airline’s ‘service’ but I just concluded the obvious – what you pay is what you get – and these airlines they just try and sell you heavens for cheap when they know all well that it doesn’t come cheap at all. From experience I know foreigners who chose Airmalta (when available) for its pristine service rather than their national airline. I have decided to do the same. Well done Dr. Busuttil keep it up.
p.piscitelli
Dec 2nd 2008, 18:29
i agree with s.grech.then when you book on internet you have all details written ,the cost of the flight,the tax you must pay ,boarding fee etc.etc.so if you think that it's not convenient don't book .think of how many more tourists have been to malta thanks to ryanair.
Tony Cassar
Dec 2nd 2008, 14:57
@s.grech
I agree that government should do more to promote cheap flights, but if that means Ryanair getting a bigger foothold, in Malta, then I would prefer to do without more routes.
The ultimate aim of these cheats (as this article and the comments below clearly prove) is to make us dependent on them and drive the competition out. They use all available means to reach their aim (including illegal funding from airports - like Charleroi). Then, once they've sucked a destination dry, they just pull out like they did in Valencia last month.
Ryanair is a moment's laughter with a tragic after and give a bad name to low-cost airlines. Our tourism industry should not be dependent on this airline.
Robert Agius
Dec 2nd 2008, 14:53
How about a refund for all departure tax since it was illegal in the 1st place. Ryanair might not have the best service but all those ppl who just complain must really have goldfish memory. Do you remember price to travel before the introducion of Ryanair!??!
Eric Psaila
Dec 2nd 2008, 13:02
I wrote a letter to Ryan Air requesting a refund of overcharged taxes on three bookings on the 12th November and they replied by email to which I was told I cannot respond using the same medium that my claim was not justified. To prove how inefficient Ryanair are they only made reference to one of my bookings ignoring completly the second page of my letter.
I ask Ryanair to recheck on my claim and to instruct there staff to refund me the money without any more delays. The amounts are minimal but I will continue pursuing my claim until you refund me. One suggestion. Look within your own airline before attacking Air Malta.
s.grech
Dec 2nd 2008, 12:59
@igalea
i noticed you are very negative towards an airline such as Ryanair . Since Ryanair started flying to malta i bought 13 tickets for not more than 875 euros . Before Ryanair started operating from Malta I could only buy an average of 3 tickets for the same money.
@ MEP S. Busittil
Good job , but you will be a bigger hero if you manage to encourage the maltese GOV to open more routes for low cost airlines . More flights to Malta more tourism .
lgalea
Dec 2nd 2008, 12:26
cheap airlines = cheap service
bernadette farrell MANCHESTER
Dec 2nd 2008, 12:03
I have been trying to get hold of Ryanair to get the refund on 3 tickets i have purchased but they are impossible to get hold of. Can anyone offer any suggestions.
grace cassar
Dec 2nd 2008, 11:56
Thanks again Mr. Busuttil. you work so hard and get the results that you merit. Hope that the maltese people realize how hard you have been fighting for what you believe since you arrived in Brussels. You have been a great soldier here in Brussels and only had Malta and the Maltese in mind, I urge the Maltese people to remember that in the coming elections.
Tony Cassar
Dec 2nd 2008, 11:20
Well done Simon.
You have succeeded in exposing Ryanair for the joke that it is.