Ryanair cabin crew members have staged a strike disrupting thousands of holidaymakers across the country due to a pay dispute.
This has led to the Irish airline cancelling 600 flights, affecting 100,000 passengers so far.
Thousands of Brits embarking on their summer holidays have been forced to find alternative transport.
The budget airline says they have informed all passengers affected by the strike.
Passengers on their summer holidays have had to accept a full refund, or find alternative travel.
The news comes as Ryanair threatens the jobs of 300 jobs, leading to a pilot strike on August 3.
Normally, passengers affected by cancellations or delays have rights in the form of being able to claim compensation.
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RYANAIR FLIGHTS CANCELLED: The budget airline are refusing to pay compensation
“Ryanair fully complies with all EU261 legislation, however as these flight cancellations were caused by extraordinary circumstances, no compensation is due”
Ryanair spokeswoman
However, Ryanair claim they do not need to pay passengers compensation.
Talking to Daily Star Online a Ryanair spokeswoman said: “Ryanair fully complies with all EU261 legislation, however as these flight cancellations were caused by extraordinary circumstances, no compensation is due.
“Under EU261 legislation, no compensation is payable when the union is acting unreasonably and totally beyond the airlines control.”
Passengers could be owed as much as €33million (£29million) in compensation following the flight disruptions.
Ryanair cancellations: How to claim compensation
Thousands of tourists' holiday plans will be affected this summer due to multiple strikes. Here's how to claim compensation Getty Images Ryanairs cabin crew are going on strike
Paloma Salmon, passenger rights expert in the UK, believes the Ryanair strikes are not “extraordinary”.
She said: “The decisions of the European Court of Justice are binding for all courts in the EU, and apply to everybody in the same way – even if you are Ryanair.
“Affected passengers should not let themselves be deceived by Ryanairs false statement, as all strikes of airline staff are not considered to be extraordinary circumstances anymore, which would free the airline from their obligation to financial compensation of up to 600 euros per passenger.
“This is why we at AirHelp advise all affected passengers to check whether their flight problem entitles them to financial compensation, on top of any re-routing or refund of ticket offered. We are here to help, and even go to court for you, if necessary.”
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CHAOS: Ryanair has cancelled 600 flights due to a strike by cabin crew
The website EUclaim.co.uk gives examples of instances which are considered extraordinary.
Situations which are not deemed as extraordinary mentioned are technical faults on the airplane, crew shortages or sickness or strikes by airplane personnel.
If the strike was due to air traffic control it would count as an extraordinary circumstance.
However, strikes by cabin crew are deemed within the control of the airline.
The EU legislation explains: "If an airline invokes extraordinary circumstances the reasons must be clearly explained.
"An airline does not have to pay compensation in the event of cancellation or delay at arrival if it can prove that the cancellation or delay is caused by extraordinary circumstances which could not have been avoided even if all reasonable measures had been taken."
What are your rights?
If you are delayed for more than three hours, if your flight is cancelled, or you are denied boarding, you could be entitled to financial compensation of up to €600 (£533) per person.
This rule applies if the departure airport is within the EU, or if the airline is based in the EU.
Also, the reason for the delay must have been caused by the airline itself.
You have three years since the date of the delay to claim compensation.
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RIGHTS: You have rights if your flight was cancelled or delayed for more than three hours
Should the delay be caused by circumstances outside the hands of the airline, for example storms or medical emergencies, the airline does not need to pay compensation.
If a delay causes you to be stranded at an airport for more than two hours, you are entitled to meals, free drinks, access to communication, and even accommodation.
In April 2018 The European Court of Justice ruled all airlines have to provide compensation to passengers for flight delays and cancellations – even if it was caused by a strike by airline staff.
This ruling applied to all previous strikes and new ones in the future.
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