A WEE County man whose flight was delayed by more than 18 hours has won his fight for compensation from Ryanair.

The budget airline has been ordered to pay Donald Cowan and his wife Lydia 800 euros, just under £600, after the retired police officer took the company to court.

After a holiday in Fuerteventura, the couple were due to catch return flight FR6954 to Glasgow Prestwick at 7.10pm on Friday 22 March 2013.

They arrived for their flight at 4pm. However, due to delays they were left stranded at the terminal.

Donald said: “At the back of 11 I would think it would be, the lights in the airport started to go out.” He explained that airport staff informed them they couldn’t stay there.

He said: “We thought right let’s be sharp on the move here, try and get a list of telephone numbers for hotels and we managed to get a taxi and hotel for that night.

“We arrived about one o’clock in the morning, maybe even half one in the morning. It was a quick shower, into bed then up again to be back at the airport. I think it would be just after nine we were to get back, half past nine.

“We arrived at the airport and our flight number was up and it said 12 noon take-off, but beside that it said ‘flight delayed’.” The flight eventually left at 1.45pm on the Saturday and on arriving in Scotland they were presented with a form in relation to flight delays, cancellations and compensation.

Donald put in for his hotel and taxi expenses – which he received – but was informed he wasn’t entitled to compensation.

However, after watching a number of television programmes throughout 2013 and 2014 about delays, and frustrated with the airline’s customer service, the 54-year-old decided to pursue it further – feeling they weren’t complying with European law.

During a hearing at Alloa Sheriff Court on Thursday, 5 February, a sheriff found in his favour, ruling the carrier had to pay compensation and the cost of taking the case to court.

Donald, who represented himself, said: “Never at any time was this about getting money back, it was just to show Ryanair that they can’t treat people [like that].

“I mean 18-and-a-half hours being left all alone with no communication at an airport and after we had to go and get a hotel, but when you’re on your road home it’s not the most comfortable of situations and you know I just felt that Ryanair could’ve handled the whole situation [better].

“If Ryanair had communicated on the day and even in their letters thereafter, I may well not have taken this to this length.

“Ryanair, throughout their dealing with us from the point that we arrived at that airport at four o’clock that afternoon right through to the conclusion at the court the other day, were totally dismissive.

“They put up every obstruction to put people off taking them to court and I took them on to court because I felt quite strongly that what they were doing, they were not complying with their obligations in regard to the law.

“I would actively encourage anyone to take companies like Ryanair to court when they feel that they have a really strong case.” A spokesperson for Ryanair said: “This flight was delayed after the aircraft suffered a lightning strike.

“Affected customers were reimbursed for refreshment and accommodation expenses. As this delay was caused by extraordinary circumstances beyond our control, [we believed] no compensation was due.

“Ryanair fully complies with all EU261 passenger legislation and deals with each claim on a case by case basis. Our lawyers are studying this decision and we don’t comment on pending legal matters.”