CMA opens enforcement cases into British Airways and Ryanair amid coronavirus (COVID-19)

Article summary

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has opened enforcement cases into British Airways and Ryanair and written to them both to express its concerns regarding whether they have broken consumer law by failing to offer refunds for flights customers could not legally take. During a period of coronavirus (COVID-19) lockdown in the UK, British Airways and Ryanair refused their customers refunds for flights that they were legally unable to take, with British Airways offering vouchers or rebooking and Ryanair providing the option to rebook. The CMA is investigating whether, by failing to return their customers’ money, British Airways and Ryanair have breached consumer law and left people unfairly out of pocket. As a result, it is now seeking to resolve its concerns with the two firms, which may include the CMA seeking refunds for customers or other redress options.