Ryanair Denies Refunds for November Flights Amid Financial Strain and UK Lockdown

"If a flight is operated, then no, we will not offer a refund. But what customers can take advantage of is our change facility where the fees have been removed. So those who have booked in November can change their booking and move it to December or January if necessary. But there will be no refunds for flights in service," said Ryanair Holdings CEO Michael O’Leary on BBC. He recalled that the airline had refunded "all canceled flights earlier this year" due to the health crisis.

The Irish low-cost specialist recorded a net loss of 197 million euros at the end of June due to the collapse in traffic due to the Covid-19 health crisis. Ryanair says the forecasts are worse for the second half. In a statement, the airline says the forecasts "could be revised downwards if EU governments continue to mismanage air travel and impose more uncoordinated travel restrictions or lockdowns this winter".

For Johanna Bonhill-Smith, travel and tourism analyst at GlobalData, the refusal of refunds has the "power to further decimate future confidence, a decision that will likely bring new headwinds for the operator".