Ryanair has refused to refund two children for a dream trip to Italy after their father died weeks before the holiday. Andy Ure, a director at the Wee Whisky shop in Linlithgow and singer with Falkirk band The Ray Summers, was due to take his sons Harrison, 13, and Brodie, nine, on a trip to watch AC Milan play at the San Siro. The children had bought strips for the holiday, hoping to make forever memories.
Andy tragically died while hillwalking on Ben Vane in Arrochar on Hogmanay, shortly after his 41st birthday. The tragedy fell five weeks before the boys were due to fly to Milan with their dad.
Ryanair's Bereavement Policy Sparks Outrage
Andy's ex-wife, Kirsty Mitchell, 40, who is dealing with his estate, contacted Ryanair to arrange a refund for the flights but was left shocked when the airline refused to reimburse her children's tickets due to a 'nonsense' bereavement policy. Kirsty was informed that because Andy's death was more than 10 days prior to the flight, the children would have to apply for travel credit instead of a refund. However, she was then told the children were not entitled to credit.
Andy forked out a total of £370 for the flights, of which Kirsty says the airline has only refunded £114 for his ticket. She told Edinburgh Live: “Losing their dad so suddenly has been absolutely awful for the family and we have been in a blur since. On top of helping the boys cope, there is a lot of admin and red tape to deal with, including cancelling their holiday to watch AC Milan play.”
Policy Contradicts Own Rules on Unaccompanied Minors
Kirsty added: “I contacted Ryanair and sent all the paperwork and they told me they would refund me for Andy’s flight but not the boys as their dad had died more than 10 days before the flight. I was totally flabbergasted and had to check they were sure that was the right advice. The other passengers are children who had just lost their dad and couldn’t possibly have travelled to Milan alone at nine and 13 years-old. But Ryanair doubled down and said that was their policy. I just couldn’t believe that could possibly be accurate.”
Ryanair does not allow children under the age of 16 to travel unaccompanied by an adult, meaning Harrison and Brodie could not have used their tickets without their father. Kirsty stated: “It is not even about the money, it is about a completely ridiculous policy that makes zero sense. At a time when families are grieving, they should not have to navigate nonsense policies like this.”
Ryanair Confirms Refusal
Ryanair bosses confirmed Kirsty contacted their customer service team to request a refund following Andy’s passing. They said they refunded Andy’s ticket on May 14 but denied a refund for his two children due to their bereavement policy. They stated that if a passenger or an immediate family member (partner, parent, or child) passes away within 10 days prior to the flight, travel credit may be requested, but in this case, the children were not entitled to a refund or travel credit.
