Ryanair has stressed that it is “giving customers all of the options set out under EU regulations, including refunds”, in the wake of COVID-19. 

The statement comes in reaction to recent media reports in which it was alleged that the airline has angered passengers by pressing them to accept vouchers – valid for 12 months - for cancelled flights in lieu of promised refunds which are taking long to process. 

Yet, when contacted by this portal, Ryanair reiterated its commitment to EU regulations, saying it was adhering to them, but refused to specify how many passengers are still awaiting refunds for cancelled flights to and from Malta, saying that it had “nothing further to add to the statement.” It also refused to detail how much was still owed, in Euro, to these passengers.

Yesterday, the Irish Times reported that email correspondence sent to Ryanair passengers included vouchers in its list of reimbursement options, while warning their clients that they would have to wait until the pandemic eases before new applications for refunds would even be considered. 

Those who have already applied for refunds have also been offered the vouchers, with the new email highlighting possible delays. “As our customer care agents are required to work from home to limit the spread of Covid-19 virus, payment security restrictions prevent us from processing refunds as quickly as we would like to,” the email said.

The travel vouchers can be used to purchase Ryanair flights, or any other services. This summer, the airline planned to operate 66 routes in and out of Malta through Malta Air, but airlines across the globe have been grounded as a result of COVID-19.