(FILES) This file photo taken on June 06, 2016 shows an airplane of the Irish low-cost airline Ryanair preparing to land at Barcelona's airport in El Prat de Llobregat. AFP / JOSEP LAGO
Brussels: The EU on Monday warned Ryanair it must "fully comply" with rules on compensating passengers after the no-frills carrier suddenly announced it was scrapping 2,000 flights in what it called a bid to improve punctuality.
European Union Transport Commissioner Violeta Bulc said Brussels was in contact with the Dublin-based airline, adding to pressure on Ryanair from passengers, consumer groups and a British government minister.
"All passengers whose flights are cancelled have a comprehensive set of rights under EU law. These include the right to reimbursement, re-routing or return, as well as the right to care and in some circumstances the right to compensation," Bulc said in a statement.
"We are in contact with Ryanair, and we expect them to fully comply with those rights. National authorities are responsible for their enforcement."
Ryanair announced on Friday that it was calling off 40 to 50 flights daily to address problems caused by air traffic control delays, strikes and weather disruption, as well as a new holiday system for staff.
European regulations state that passengers whose flights are cancelled with less than 14 days' notice are entitled to financial compensation.
Airlines can avoid paying compensation if they offer alternative flights taking off no more than two hours later and arriving no more than four hours later than the original scheduled journey.
