Ryanair technical fault: compensation despite the excuse
"An unexpected technical problem with the aircraft" is one of Ryanair's most common reasons for refusing a compensation claim - and one of the weakest. Under EU Regulation 261/2004 and the UK's retained version (UK261), a routine technical or maintenance fault is not an extraordinary circumstance, so it does not release the airline from paying. If a technical issue delayed you three or more hours or caused a cancellation, "we had a mechanical problem" is usually a reason to press harder.
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Short answer: an ordinary technical fault is part of running an airline, and the Court of Justice has ruled twice that it is not extraordinary (C-549/07 Wallentin-Hermann and C-257/14 van der Lans). Ryanair still owes EUR 250/400/600 on EU and Ireland departures, or GBP 220/350/520 on UK departures, unless it proves the narrow exception - a genuine hidden defect or external damage - which almost never applies.
Why a technical fault is (almost) never extraordinary
Article 5(3) lets an airline avoid compensation only if the disruption was caused by "extraordinary circumstances which could not have been avoided even if all reasonable measures had been taken". The Court reads that phrase narrowly, and technical faults sit firmly outside it.
In C-549/07 (Wallentin-Hermann) the Court held that a technical problem coming to light during maintenance, or through a failure to maintain, is inherent in the normal exercise of an air carrier's activity - keeping aircraft airworthy is precisely the airline's job. The Court went further in C-257/14 (van der Lans): even a premature, unexpected failure of a properly maintained component is still part of normal operations and does not excuse payment. Engine warning lights, hydraulics, avionics, an unserviceable auxiliary power unit, a spare part not in stock at Stansted - all are Ryanair's own risk to manage. Unforeseen is not the same as extraordinary.
The narrow exception Ryanair has to prove
There is a genuine exception, but it is small and Ryanair bears the burden of proving it. Van der Lans identified two situations where a technical cause can be extraordinary because, by its nature or origin, it is not inherent in normal operations:
- a hidden manufacturing defect revealed by the manufacturer or a safety authority as affecting the safety of a whole fleet type; or
- damage caused by an external event such as sabotage, a terrorist act, or a bird strike - things done to the aircraft from outside, not wear from flying it.
A one-off broken part on your Ryanair 737 is not a "hidden defect". To rely on the exception, Ryanair would need a manufacturer service bulletin or airworthiness directive covering the exact fault - documents that rarely exist for an everyday snag.
How much a technical delay is worth
The regime turns on where you took off. An EU or EEA departure - including every Ireland departure such as Dublin, Cork or Shannon - is EU261, in euros. A UK departure (Stansted, Manchester, Edinburgh) is UK261, in sterling, enforced by the UK Civil Aviation Authority. The trigger is the same either way: a delay of three hours or more at your final destination (C-402/07 Sturgeon) - see the three-hour delay guide.
| Distance to final destination | EU261 | UK261 | Typical Ryanair route |
|---|---|---|---|
| up to 1,500 km | EUR 250 | GBP 220 | Dublin-London, London-Milan |
| 1,500-3,500 km (and intra-EU over 1,500 km) | EUR 400 | GBP 350 | Dublin-Faro, London-Athens |
| over 3,500 km | EUR 600 | GBP 520 | Ryanair's longest routes, e.g. to Jordan |
Most technical-fault claims sit in the EUR 250/GBP 220 and EUR 400/GBP 350 bands. One reduction applies: under Article 7(2), if Ryanair reroutes you and you still arrive within a set window of the original time, it may halve the payment (for example EUR 300 instead of EUR 600). For a connection, the delay and distance to your final destination govern, not the leg where the aircraft broke (C-11/11 Folkerts). Estimate your figure with the flight compensation calculator.
How to rebut a technical rejection
When Ryanair refuses on technical grounds, do not argue the engineering - argue the burden of proof. Ryanair must prove both that the cause was truly extraordinary and that it took all reasonable measures to avoid the disruption. A refusal letter that just asserts "technical reasons" does neither.
- Ask for the specific defect and the date it was discovered - vague wording is a red flag.
- Ask for documentary proof that it falls in the narrow exception: a manufacturer bulletin, an airworthiness directive, or an external-damage report.
- Check the operating carrier. Under C-532/17 (Wirth) the airline that actually flew the leg is liable; Ryanair Group flights are operated by Ryanair DAC, Malta Air, Buzz or Lauda, so direct the claim at the right entity.
- Keep your right to care. Even in a genuinely extraordinary event, Ryanair still owes meals, refreshments and, if needed, a hotel under Article 9 (C-12/11 McDonagh).
Ryanair rejects a large share of first claims, so do not treat its first "no" as final - see what to do when Ryanair rejects a claim. And do not confuse a technical fault with the other excuses: strikes by Ryanair's own pilots or cabin crew are also not extraordinary (C-28/20 Airhelp v SAS; see extraordinary circumstances), while air-traffic-control and weather problems sometimes are.
ClaimWinger works on a no win, no fee basis: no upfront cost, and we take a commission only if your claim succeeds. We read Ryanair's technical excuse against the case law, demand the evidence, and handle escalation. Start with a free check on our delayed-flight page, or see the full Ryanair compensation guide.
FAQ — Frequently asked questions
Ryanair said the delay was a "technical problem". Can I still claim?
Usually yes. A routine technical or maintenance fault is not an extraordinary circumstance (C-549/07, C-257/14), so if you arrived three or more hours late Ryanair normally still owes compensation. Ask it to prove the fault fell within the narrow hidden-defect exception.
My flight left the UK - do I claim in euros or pounds?
In pounds. A flight departing a UK airport falls under UK261, so the amounts are GBP 220/350/520 by distance and the UK Civil Aviation Authority is the enforcement body. A flight leaving an EU or Irish airport is EU261, in euros.
How long do I have to bring a claim?
Time limits depend on where you sue - generally six years in Ireland and in England and Wales (five in Scotland), with other EU states setting their own, so check yours early. A widely discussed July 2026 reform would add a nine-month claim window and a 30-day airline response deadline, but that is a proposal, not yet in force.
Sources
This guide reflects the legal position in 2026; the proposed EU261 reform is not yet applicable. It is general information, not legal advice.