RIVAL airlines have failed to join Ryanair in a £3.3 million lawsuit against the Government over losses incurred by stricter security measures.
British Airways, Virgin Atlantic and BMI are concentrating on getting schedules back to normal following last month’s alleged terrorist plot and have refused to join the Irish carrier in compensation claims.
In submitting his claim to the Department for Transport, Ryanair chief executive Michael O’Leary said: “The value of the claim is more than £3 million and reflects Ryanair’s losses from cancellations and lost bookings over the week of August 10-16.
“The purpose of this claim is to encourage the DfT to restore UK airport security to the effective IATA norm, and to prevent similar breakdowns at UK airports during future security scares by putting in the necessary police and army personnel to carry out the extra security checks,” said O’Leary.
Any proceeds from a successful claim would go to charity, he added.
The DfT rejected Ryanair’s lawsuit, saying: “We continue to face a serious security threat and we will not compromise security.
“We do not believe Ryanair has any legal grounds. Aviation security measures are directed under the Aviation Security Act 1982, which does not have provisions for compensation.”