Airport passengers were in disbelief as they were forced to return their duty free purchases after having their holiday hopes dashed.
A "chorus of laughter literally erupted" before would-be jet setters left Bristol Airport empty handed after finding out their flights had been cancelled.
It is the latest blow to travellers adding insult to injury amid the staffing crisis at British airports.
Chaos continued this week as airlines struggle to fill security and check-in roles.
Passengers were seen queueing outside terminals and hundreds more flights were delayed or cancelled.
But one less known consequence for those returning home unable to fly is that they cannot take their duty-free purchases with them, reports Bristol Live.
Aaliyah Miller, from Bristol, was due to fly to Lisbon, Portugal, last month.
But she was told her flight was cancelled just ten minutes before boarding.
"As if that wasn't bad enough, being asked to return duty-free purchases was certainly salt in the wound," Aaliyah said.
"I think the entire room was in disbelief and a chorus of laughter literally erupted when they made the duty-free announcement."
Twitter user @AFrenchHome also shared their disappointment after being faced with the rule on Monday.
"easyJet just cancelled two more flights and expect anyone with duty free to return it before they leave," the tweeted.
"Seriously! Customs laws mean that already disappointed travellers whose flights have been cancelled are also forbidden from leaving the airport with duty free goods."
Returning duty free goods is a legal requirement for airport users who do not catch their flight and therefore remain in the UK.
But the rule has been met with humour and outrage from already disgruntled passengers at check-in desks.
A spokesperson for Bristol Airport said: "Returning duty-free is normal procedure for a cancelled flight.
"Customers can purchase duty-free (and receive the duty-free discounted prices) [but] this allowance is only eligible for customers who are departing from the UK.
"When flights are cancelled, the customer is not leaving the UK, so it is a customs requirement that all duty-free purchases are returned, and a full refund provided. This is an HM Customs requirement."
