8:48am update: Passengers on social media complain about cancelled flights
One person tweeted: “Why is it I ring to get some clarity on my CANCELLED flight yet before I can even speak with someone your phone lines hang up on me?!
“This is shambolic!! My whole holiday is ruined with 1 week to go and I can’t get hold of a real person to speak to!!!!”
Many feared that by being left in the dark they wouldn’t know if they holiday was affected until too late.
Another asked: “@Ryanair Where can I find a complete list of the cancelled flights on the 25th and 26th, thank you.”
Ryanair has announced it will be cancelling up to 600 flights next week as cabin crew plan a two-day strike.
Approximately 50,000 passengers will be affected by the flight cancellations.
Cabin crew from Belgium, Portugal and Spain will walk out for 48 hours on 25 and 26 July.
Flights to and from the three countries will be hugely disrupted over the two days as British holidaymakers head abroad for the summer holidays.
With schools breaking up this weekend, family holidays experience travel chaos when attempting to travel to Europe.
Ryanair has contacted the passengers which are affected by text and SMS.
Ryanair’s chief marketing officer Kenny Jacobs said in a statement: “These strikes are entirely unjustified and will achieve nothing other than to disrupt family holidays, and benefit competitor airlines in Belgium, Portugal and Spain.”
Another 24 flights will also be cancelled tomorrow as pilots strike in Ireland. This will affect another 4,000 passengers travelling to and from Ireland.
Thirty flights were cancelled last week in the first pilot strike, affecting 5,000 passengers.
Another strike by pilots is expected next Tuesday if a deal is not met.
Ryanair pilots are in dispute with the airline over promotions and seniority.
A statement by the pilot union confirmed Thursday night: “The Irish Airline Pilots’ Association (IALPA) branch of Fórsa today (Thursday) gave notice that it intends to stage two further one-day pilot strikes in Ryanair commencing at 1am on Friday 20th July, and at 1am on Tuesday 24th July.”
What rights do Ryanair passengers have if their flight is cancelled next week?
Carolina Vicente, Travel Expert at Columbus Direct explained: “As Ryanair is a European airline, if you are due to travel during this time and your flight is cancelled you are protected.
“You have the option to take an alternative flight with the airline to your destination, or cancel your flight and claim a full refund.
“If the alternative flight Ryanair offer isn’t at the right time for you Ryanair is legally required to book you on a comparable flight with them or an alternative airline. You should not be charged anymore for this.”
She also advises that depending on the notice period of cancelled flights, compensation can be given.
“If you were given 14 days or less notice of your flight cancellation you’re entitled to compensation, however if you were given more than 14 days notice you are only entitled to a refund or a new flight,” she explained.
“Should you wish to apply for compensation you can apply directly with Ryanair and compensation amounts depend on, the type of flight, when Ryanair notify you, how long you are left waiting for a substitute flight and how far you’re travelling, anything from €125-€600.”
