SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
 

Washington, D.C. 20549
 


FORM 6-K
 


Report of Foreign Private Issuer
 


Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
 


For the month of  October, 2008
 
 

RYANAIR HOLDINGS PLC
(Translation of registrant's name into English)
 
 

c/o Ryanair Ltd Corporate Head Office
Dublin Airport
County Dublin Ireland
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
 
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual
reports under cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F.
 
 
Form 20-F..X.. Form 40-F.....
 
 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information
contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the
Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934.
 
 
Yes ..... No ..X..
 
 

If "Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant
in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): 82- ________
 
 
 

Ryanair Welcomes Court Decision to Refuse 
Passenger
 Compensation


Ryanair, Europe's largest low fares airline, today (
Monday, 
6
th
 Oct
ober 2008
) 
welcomed the decision of 
Simmern Court in German
y
 to dismiss a 
passenger
'
s 
compensation 
cla
im after
 Ryanair was forced to cancel a flight due to 
unsafe
 weather conditions
 in Jerez in October last year
.

The German court found that bad weather prevented Ryanair from landing safely and represented extraordinary circumstances which were beyond the control of the airline under EU261 regulations.  

The passenger
, who 
was 
seeking compensation of over €1,600 as a result of 
this
 forced cancellation
, had hi
s claim dismissed by 
Simmern Court
.
  The passenger must now settle all costs associated with the case, including Ryanair's costs.
 

Welcoming the finding, Ryanair's Stephen McNamara said:

"The decision of the court was 
in accor
dance with the provisions of EU261.  
We understand that cancelled flights 
can be frustrating. However, we 
must always make 
decisions which 
prioritise 
the safety of our passengers, 
crew and aircraft
.  

"
In this case bad
 weather 
made
 it unsafe
 to
 land
 at Jerez and 
we had no alternative but to cancel the return flight.
  We 
welcome this decision
 which clarifies
 
the fact that 
EU261 compensation claims
 do not arise in cases where bad weather forces airlines to put passenger safety ahead of passenger convenience
"
.

Ends.
    
    
    
    
    
    
                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                                                                                         Monday, 6
th
 October 2008


For further information:

Stephen McNamara
 
    
    
    
    
                                                                                                                                                        
Pauline McAlester
Ryanair
    
    
    
    
    
                                                                                                                                                                         
Murray Consultants 
Tel: 00 353 1 812 1271
    
    
    
                                                                                                                                                          Tel: 00 353 1 4980 300


 

SIGNATURES
 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, hereunto duly authorized.
 
 

 

RYANAIR HOLDINGS PLC




Date:  06 October, 2008
 

 

By:___/s/ James Callaghan____
   
 

James Callaghan
 

Company Secretary & Finance Director