Ryanair has refused to refund flights for two children whose father died weeks before their planned trip to Italy. Andy Ure, 41, a director at the Wee Whisky shop in Linlithgow and singer with Falkirk band The Ray Summers, died while hillwalking on Ben Vane in Arrochar on Hogmanay, just five weeks before he was due to take his sons, Harrison, 13, and Brodie, nine, to watch AC Milan play at the San Siro.
Andy’s ex-wife, Kirsty Mitchell, 40, who is handling his estate, contacted Ryanair to request a refund for the flights, which cost £370 in total. The airline refunded £114 for Andy’s ticket but refused to refund the children’s tickets, citing its bereavement policy. Under this policy, travel credit may be requested only if a passenger or immediate family member dies within 10 days of the flight. Since Andy’s death occurred more than 10 days before the departure, the children were not entitled to a refund or credit.
Kirsty expressed disbelief, noting that Ryanair does not allow children under 16 to travel unaccompanied, making it impossible for the boys to use the tickets. “It is not even about the money, it is about a completely ridiculous policy that makes zero sense,” she told Edinburgh Live. “At a time when families are grieving, they should not have to navigate nonsense policies like this.”
Ryanair confirmed it refunded Andy’s ticket on May 14 but denied a refund for the children, stating that the policy does not apply in this case. The airline’s website states that children under 16 cannot travel alone and must be included on a booking with an accompanying adult.
