People who have booked Ryanair flights to go to the Ireland versus Wales rugby international in Cardiff will not receive a refund if they decide not to travel. The IRFU postponed the match in response to Government concerns about foot-and-mouth disease.
A Ryanair spokesman said customers who had booked flights on a non-refundable, non-changeable basis would have to abide by those conditions. Many of these tickets had cost £5, he pointed out.
Aer Lingus was facilitating disappointed rugby fans and would refund or change tickets, a spokesman said. Customers who had booked tickets for the Cheltenham festival would also be facilitated, he said.
Stena Line and Irish Ferries are offering rugby fans a refund, or travel at an alternative date. A Stena Line spokesman said most customers were opting to rebook, as the match had been tentatively rescheduled for April 29th.
The European Consumer Centre said Ryanair was within its rights, while the other companies were making goodwill gestures. Independently bought flights were subject to the terms and conditions of the ticket.
In the case of package flights, the centre said the foot-and-mouth outbreak may be considered a force majeure situation: "an overpowering event that could not be anticipated or controlled."
The Irish Travel Agents' Association's chief executive, Mr Brendan Moran, urged Ryanair to reconsider its decision and said its approach was "very, very unhelpful". Hoteliers in Cardiff were adopting a flexible attitude and trying to transfer bookings. He urged the Government to get clarification on whether Cheltenham would go ahead.