Ryanair has been criticised for its treatment of sick children. Picture: Mikelo/Flickr
RYANAIR has been criticised for its treatment of a group of children with life-threatening conditions who were on the "trip of a lifetime" to Disneyland in Paris.
The children were travelling with the Share a Dream Foundation as they were recipients of the Irish National Children of Courage awards, when their experience turned sour at Dublin Airport, the Independent reported.
Several families in the group say they were "humiliated and annoyed" when airline staff made them repack their bags – which contained the children's medicines and other items – as they exceeded weight limits.
Members of the group helped one parent, whose luggage was six kilograms over the 15kg limit leaving her facing a $146 excess fee, by taking items such as medicine in their bags.
The Share a Dream Foundation said the incident was a "disgrace", and Twitter users also expressed their disgust.
Rick O'Shea: "Ah, Ryanair. Punching themselves in the face one more time..."
Barry Meehan: "Scrooged by Ryanair at Christmas. These kids and their families deserved better!"
Others sided with the airline, saying the families should have been aware of the luggage requirements.
Ryanair says it regrets the incident but its luggage fees are well-known.
"We sincerely regret (any) inconvenience, but are pleased that they avoided any excess bag charges," an airline spokesperson said.
"These families agreed to Ryanair's (very well-known) checked-in baggage policy (one checked-in bag per person of no more than 15kgs in weight) at the time of their original booking."
The spokesperson said the airline was glad they avoided extra fees.
Eight children received the National Children of Courage awards, including one with leukaemia, another with a rare medical condition and a third who had undergone two kidney transplants.
Source: A day in the life of a wizard
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