Italy says Ryanair did not help passengers stranded by ash, levies $3.7 million fine

Italy fines Ryanair for not helping ash passengers

ROME — Italy’s civil aviation agency says it has fined Ryanair some euro3 million ($3.7 million) for failing to help passengers stranded last month when flights were canceled due to Iceland’s volcanic ash cloud.

The ENAC agency said in a statement Saturday it had found 178 cases of Ryanair passengers who didn’t receive mandatory assistance such as food, drink and lodgings during the flight shutdown in much of Europe from April 15-22.

Ryanair said the company wasn’t aware of any problems.