Ryanair cancellation fiasco takes turn for worse

Ryanair is sending all passengers affected by its flight cancellations a €40 voucher with “deepest apologies” - but at the same time revealed 400,000 more cancellations.

It said it would "slow growth this winter (Nov 17 to Mar 18), by flying 25 less aircraft (of its 400 fleet) from November, and 10 fewer aircraft (of 445) from April 2018".

This is aimed to "eliminate all risk of further flight cancellations, because slower growth creates lots of spare aircraft and crews across Ryanair’s 86 bases this winter".

About 400,000 passengers who have booked flights in this period will face cancellations.

The following 34 routes are affected (but no French routes):

Passengers are being given between five weeks and five months' notice and will be offered full refunds plus the €40 voucher already sent to passengers hit by the previous fiasco.

The 315,000 passengers hit in the first round of cancellations will get the €40 voucher on top of the €250 EU compensation that many are entitled to.

News of the 'apology' vouchers came in a letter signed by Ryanair chief executive Michael O’Leary saying: “We wish to apologise sincerely for the inconvenience we caused you.”

He added the airline wanted to “do more than just apologise for your disruption” and closed “Rest assured there will be no repeat of last week’s roster-related flight cancellations.”