Under a cloud

Yet this should not exempt such companies from consumer laws and, specifically, Ryanair's obligations to those passengers left stranded following the Icelandic volcano eruption.

If the firm's boss Michael O'Leary paid for a service which was then not provided, he would fully expect to be reimbursed. The same principle, therefore, applies to his customers – they, too, have rights and expectations.

It is welcome, albeit belatedly, that Ryanair has recognised this reality and agreed to pay "reasonable" accommodation and food costs for stranded passengers.

The downside is the extent to which the word "reasonable" is still open to mis-interpretation.

What is certain, however, is that the contemptuous Mr O'Leary believes EU regulations do not extend to the fallout from the ash cloud crisis, which has caused untold misery to all those thousands of people who simply want to return to these shores at the earliest opportunity. They continue to face exorbitant accommodation and travel costs because of the chaotic response to this volcano explosion.

Given how Ryanair's inadequate response contrasts sharply with those travel organisations who have gone the extra mile to help passengers, there now needs to be a review of the obligations of transport

companies when services come to a halt because of inclement weather or other factors. It cannot be left to such firms to make up the rules as they go along.