‘We urge customers not to call us’

That was the message from Ryanair to passengers today, as the budget airline announced it has been forced to ‘severely reduce flights to/from Spain, the Balearic Islands and Canary Islands’ as the Spanish lockdown begins.

Passengers who flew to Spain on schedule flights out of Cork Airport have been left in the dark about the situation regarding their return flights for now as Ryanair struggles to handle the level of calls and emails.

Calls to the airline from concerned holidaymakers in Tenerife and other Spanish resorts have gone unanswered.

“This is a fast-moving and complex situation,” the airline said in a statement released on social media.

“We are contacting all affected customers by email to advise them of their options and we urge customers not to call us.

Here is the statement in full:

Simon Coveney has urged any Irish citizen abroad who is experiencing difficulties due to cancelled flights to call the DFA
dedicated advice centre for #COVID19 relating to travel queries on +353(0)16131733.

Holidaymakers who spoke to Yay Cork from various Spanish locations have said their calls to the helpline were answered immediately and all their questions were answered.