Ryanair customers have been left furious after the budget airline handed out vouchers instead of refunds for cancelled flights.
Amid the coronavirus outbreak, holiday-makers have been forced to cancel their travel plans after flights were grounded across the UK.
Ryanair previously indicated they were not anticipating the return of commercial flights until around June 17.
Customers of Ryanair, whose flights were cancelled as a result of the pandemic, were told to fill out an online form for a full refund but have been left furious after waiting weeks only to be issued with vouchers instead of a refund.
One customer blasted the airline on Twitter, writing: "Finally got my flight refunds processed but they gave me a refund voucher instead.
"I can cash the voucher instead however it will only be refunded once the whole Covid-19 emergency has passed! Voucher is valid for 12 months only."
"Waiting on a refund from @Ryanair for over a month and now been told I can have a voucher or can wait in a refund queue until ‘the COVID-19 emergency has passed’ whenever that is.
"Thieving ******** give me my money", said another.
Another furious customer added: "Absolutely ridiculous, they told us to put in for a refund three to four weeks ago for cancelled flight and now sending emails with a voucher to use on any of their flights?
"Well we can’t book to go anywhere? But if we want our money back you have to wait till COVID is over?"
"Ryanair are you for real? I requested a REFUND. NOT a travel voucher" said a fourth.
"Requested a refund for my flights with @Ryanair on 27th March, and was informed that I would be refunded within 5-7 days. Today, almost a month later, I have received a Ryanair voucher, no refund, and no way to claim it. This is unethical and dishonest. Can I have my refund?" asked another.
In an email sent out to customers, the airline says: "You can request a cash refund however bear in mind we will place your request in the cash refund queue until the COVID-10 emergency has passed. We highly recommend using the refund voucher as these are readily available and you can book flights on all Ryanair Group airlines in over 200 destinations in Europe and the Middle East."
According to the airline's website, customers do have the option to request a refund.
It states: "If your flight has been cancelled you have been notified by email and SMS and given the option to request a refund, rebook or re-route your journey and avail of reasonable care, as applicable. Otherwise, your flight is operating as normal."
For postponing flights, it says: "We have waived our flight change fee for any travel between 13 March and 31 May. Flight can be changed to any date up until 31 August. Fare change will apply."
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