I wasn’t going to blog today, but having just watched the BBC news, I am pretty pissed off to say the least, and I need to rant. Excuse the language [I’ll apologise now] but who the hell does Michael O’Leary think he is?
Having just watched him on the news, he is quoted as saying ‘If you don’t get an email, and you don’t pay the tax, your flight is cancelled” That is outrageous, so I am expected to visit the Ryanair website and pay the tax, even though they have taken my money and won’t be requesting me to pay it.
So Ryanair’s flights are cheap, but how can someone in his position be so arrogant to customers, yes, people who are paying to fly with his company, no matter how much the flight costs – sorry, but in February, will be the last time that I fly with Ryanair.
If I was a Jet2.com customer I’d be pretty annoyed as well – how can they take money off your credit or debit card without your permission. If they take the money from your account, and people don’t have sufficient funds, they are going to get charged for being overdrawn – are Jet2.com going to refund the money, you bet they bloody won’t – It’s outrageous!
Related posts
- Air Passenger Duty Update
- Ryanair confuses consumers over third-party bookings
- Passengers stung by Ryanair debit card charges
- My fight to avoid paying travel service charges
- Travellers Annoyance at No Frills Baggage Allowance
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Karen Bryan | 13 January, 2007 at 9:41 pm
I didn’t see the news tonight. I agree O’Leary comes over as obnoxious and Ryanairs customer service is non existent. This latest increase in APD is really caused by the government, it is airlines left to get the additional charge out of passengers who have already paid for their flights. However that won’t stop me flying with them if I can get a direct flight for next to nothing! In February 2000 we flew from Edinburgh to Rome via Frankfurt at cost of over £200 each. it took all day with an awful stopover in Frankfurt, no seats at airport, flithly toilets. In November 2004 we fly with Ryanair from Glasgow Prestwick in 3 hours for £30 each,
Darren Cronian | 13 January, 2007 at 10:35 pm
My issue is not with the APD, it’s the arrogancy of the man that has wound me up Karen. I’ve booked a flight to Oslo, which I will be flying, but I refuse to pay my hard earnt cash to a company which is run by that arrogant individual.
Darren Cronian | 13 January, 2007 at 11:08 pm
Can I just say this is my place to rant – if you don’t like it, you don’t have to come and leave comments. I don’t care if Michael O’Leary won’t care one toss about my blog entry.
I think people forget that this is a personal travel blog, not some commercial blog where I have to kiss peoples arses.
Darren Cronian | 13 January, 2007 at 11:25 pm
I think Im a bit wound up. I’m going to have a beer 
Sorry, if I offended anyone, but I had to rant, and well this is Travel Rants
garri | 14 January, 2007 at 1:30 am
Sorry Darren, but it is a commercial blog —-> are they just pretty logos on the right, or are they ads?
I think you need more than a beer!
Amanda | 14 January, 2007 at 7:12 am
Argh. I haven’t received any emails from Ryanair and there’s no mention of the tax increase or how to pay for it on their website. And yet, my flight may not be honoured if I don’t somehow find a way to pay them before I arrive at the airport? How am I supposed to do that? Why on earth don’t they have an email contact on their website? I can’t even call their customer service line until 1am Vancouver time. This sucks.
Craig McGinty | 14 January, 2007 at 11:36 am
My biggest worry about this is that with such confusion it is ripe for email scammers.
If some crook pings out a few million emails mocked up as if they have come from an airline there is a good chance they will hit a target or two.
If they include a link in this message, which some airlines are doing, to a payment page, BANG there goes your credit card details.
After taking a look around some of the airline websites I couldn’t find any link that would allow me to pay the extra fee if I went directly to the site – which is the safest method.
Darren Cronian | 14 January, 2007 at 1:34 pm
To be honest I don’t think Ryanair have any intention at all in sending emails out. I’ve not heard from one consumer who has received an email from Ryanair – if you have please let me know.
I agree Craig, I had not thought of that.
Check the email before clicking on the link and paying. You can usually tell by looking at the email properties where the email has originated from. If you do get a suspicious email send it to me and I’ll check it out for you.
Debbie | 15 January, 2007 at 2:15 am
We all get annoyed Darren so there’s no need to apologise, especially since it is your blog.
M Sweeting | 15 January, 2007 at 11:03 am
Whilst I sympathise with all, and acknwoledge O’leary’s arrogant attitude, there is no point cutting off your nose to spite your face!
If you have an issue, it is with Gordon Brown (the financial genius!?) who raised APD by 100%!
Since the stated rise in APD is to go towards mitigation of the effects of air travel I would suggest asking your MP or better still, under the freedom of information act, how repcisely the extra £1bn in tax revenue will be invested in the environment!
More trains perhaps!?
Andrew Smith | 15 January, 2007 at 10:28 am
I’m exposed to this as I have Ryanair flights booked last Octboer for flights in February. But I’ve had no email about it from Ryanair. Luckily I’m in a group of 24, so if others in the group receive the email they can tip me off. Nothing on Ryanair’s web site though.
If any of us get owt rom Ryanair I’ll post it here.
Karen Bryan | 15 January, 2007 at 11:32 am
I agree with M Sweeting and I think we have to keep remembering that this debacle is caused by the Government who are leaving the airlines to pick up the pieces and act as unpaid tax collectors. Don’t rant at O’Leary rant at Gordon Brown.
garri | 15 January, 2007 at 11:33 am
@M Sweeting: No, more planes!
I suspect the additional revenue is to pay for the planned expansions of LHR and STN. 
= even more revenue in the long term for the treasury. It really is genius stuff if you think about it.
Karen Bryan | 15 January, 2007 at 1:41 pm
Have just been on Ryanair site and notice
http://www.ryanair.com/site/EN/notices.php?notice=gops&code=070115-APD_Notice-GB
says that passengers will be notified by email that the additional charge will be taken from the card that they used to pay for the original flight.
There is also an email address on that page to complain about the tax to the Government.
Pete | 15 January, 2007 at 2:42 pm
I have to say I agree with Darren on this issue.
I think some of you have not read his post correctly.
My arguement [and I think Darren's too] is that whilst the duty tax is disgusting, our annoyance is that the airlines have dealt with this poorly. I took have a flight booked with Ryanair in March, and I have yet to receive this email.
Mark the bum | 15 January, 2007 at 2:42 pm
There is an answer: use airlines that only use newer more efficient aircraft.
APD is NOT the solution.
Rohan | 17 January, 2007 at 6:44 pm
I love it when Dazza looses his head.
Great Rant.
We want more – We want more!!! 
Darren Cronian | 19 January, 2007 at 1:08 pm
Valerie | 22 January, 2007 at 7:02 pm
Just had a note from Ryanair saying they’ll be debiting my credit card – and that they don’t have any choice.
Gits!!! If others can waive it so can they…
First and last time with Ryanair for me…
Darren Cronian | 22 January, 2007 at 7:23 pm
I received my email today too Valerie
Dear Customer,
In his budget speech on 6th December 2006, the UK Chancellor, Mr Gordon Brown MP, announced his decision to DOUBLE “UK Air Passenger Duty”. This tax grab which is applicable to every passenger departing from a UK airport will generate £1bn. in tax revenues for the UK Government, but will do nothing for the environment.
Unfortunately, as you booked your flight – confirmation number
In accordance, with Article 4.2.2 of Ryanair’s General Conditions of Carriage, the additional tax amount required by the UK government will automatically be charged to the credit card or debit card used to pay for this flight booking. These credit/debit card transactions will automatically take place over the next 2 weeks
UK Air Passenger Duty Rates – applicable per person for each departing flight from a UK airport which was booked before the 7th December 2006 for travel from the 1st February 2007 onwards.
£10*(GBP) per person for each UK domestic flight (£20 on a return UK domestic flight)
£10* (GBP) per person for flights from the UK to an EU/EEA airport
£40* (GBP) per person for flights from the UK to an airport outside the EU/EEA – e.g. Morocco
*or local currency equivalent
Ryanair condemns the UK Chancellor’s unfair and regressive tax on ordinary passengers. And we urge you to write to Gordon Brown MP at ministers@hm-treasury.gsi.gov.uk indicating your opposition to this tax grab which will generate £1bn. in tax revenues for the UK Government, but will not do nothing for the environment.
Darren Cronian | 22 January, 2007 at 7:25 pm
My email inbox is flooded with angry emails from consumers.
S Bown wrote:
Easyjet are ripping passengers off. they are demanding the increased APD now, or else. APD is due to be paid by the airline 22 days after the end of the month in which the flight takes place. So if I pay the increased APD now for a flight I booked last Oct which I will make on 01/08/07 they will have the use of “MY” money for 8 months. Scandal!!!!!!!!!
Veronika Biricova | 30 January, 2007 at 3:12 pm
For Darren Cronian- Ive recieved an email from Ryanair telling me that they are sorry but they are going to take 10 pounds from my account cause Im flying after 1st of february. I actually dont know what to do. they know my details, so can they pick some money from me every day? I wont fly with them again.
A Hanson | 1 February, 2007 at 12:02 pm
I am flying with Ryanair tomorrow (Friday 2nd Feb) from Leeds to Dublin and to date I have received three emails from Ryanair. One on 25th Jan stating they will take the tax from the card I booked the flights on and two further emails today saying I must call their Reservations Department in Ireland. At my expense naturally. So I’m pretty confused now not to mention pissed off. Thus far no money has been taken from my card though.
To add to the confusion, the emails and their website clearly state that only flights “booked before the 7th December 2006” are liable for the extra tax. Now my flight was booked ON the 7th December. Therefore as far as I can see I am NOT liable for the excess tax as I have already paid it.
What I am going to do is absolutely nothing! If they do charge my card I will be claiming it back from the card company as a fraudulent transaction. No idea what will happen when I get to the airport tomorrow. Anyone had any experience of this? Are they insisting the tax is paid before allowing people to fly?
Veronika Biricova | 1 February, 2007 at 6:12 pm
can you let me know, what will happen on the airport if you didnt pay that tax? cause ive recieved email today that my credit card has expired, what is possible, I dont remember which card I paid with, so I should be calling them and paying it with the other card. so I dont know whether should I call there and pay or not.
Peter mac | 13 November, 2007 at 5:28 pm
Their policy of 20 minute turnaround is a disaster waiting to happen…….one day a major safety component will be forgotten due to the pressure the COE is putting on the staff.
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25 responses to “Ryanair won’t get another penny from me”