Ryanair loses court battle against 'unlawful' Ireland travel restrictions – as Cork and Shannon airports face closure

RYANAIR has lost its court battle against the travel restrictions in place in Ireland.

The airline claimed the measures were "unlawful" which require anyone entering the country to self-isolate for two weeks if travelling from a destination not on Ireland's "green list".

Ryanair also claimed that they breached various Health Acts, the European Convention of Human Rights and the European Charter of Fundamental Rights and was "well beyond mere travel advice".

However, the High Court has ruled against the airline, claiming the restrictions on travelling in and out of the country for non-essential reasons were advisory, and not binding.

They are not legally restricted, with travellers able to leave the country if they so wish.

Aer Lingus was also in support of Ryanair as a notice party to the case.

Judge Simons ruled: "The Government acted lawfully in providing travel advice and public health advice in respect of the coronavirus pandemic on a non-statutory basis."

"The Government is entitled, in the exercise of the executive power, to provide such advice to the public."

Ryanair has already warned that if the travel restrictions are not lifted, then the Cork and Shannon bases face closure by the end of the month, and will not reopen until April 2021.

The current advice from the UK Foreign Office states: "All arrivals from overseas, including Irish residents, are asked to restrict their movement for 14 days on arrival.

"There are some exemptions, including if you are returning to Ireland from Northern Ireland or from any of the countries that are on the Irish Government’s Green List.

"At present arrivals from Great Britain are not on the Green List and must restrict their movements on arrival."

However, Ireland is exempt from the quarantine restrictions if returning to England.

Ryanair has been offering a number of seat sales in a desperate attempt to get travellers flying again.

These include £5 flights to Europe as well as their first buy-one-get-one-free sale on flights.

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