Ryanair fined millions for lack of aid to stranded passengers

ROME - Budget airline Ryanair has been hit with a 3-million-euro ($3.7-million) fine for failing to render sufficient aid to passengers stranded in April when a cloud of volcanic ash blocked much of European airspace.

The ruling by Italy’s ENAC flight security agency was reported Sunday in the daily La Repubblica.

The newspaper reported at least 178 cases in which Ryanair neglected its duties to passengers stranded at Ciampino airport when a cloud of volcanic ash from the Icelandic volcano Eyjafjallajoekull prevented flights across huge swaths of European airspace.

In some cases entire families - some with small children and elderly members - were not offered sufficient food, water, lodging or alternative flights during the flight stoppage, according to the report.

ENAC and Italian civil air authorities had to step in to care for the stranded passengers. Airlines are legally required to care for and seek alternate flights for stranded passengers.