Transport Minister Shane Ross says the mass cancellation of flights by Ryanair was totally unacceptable for passengers and “should have been foreseen”.

Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary is “very contrite” over the rolling flight cancellation programme, Transport Minister Shane Ross said in London, but the problem “should have been foreseen”.

MORE than 100,000 Irish people are not guaranteed refunds for dream Spanish holidays if they are ruined by a threatened airport workers strike, because the trips were booked with “unbonded” companies.

The Irish Travel Agents Association (ITAA) has warned that Ireland’s travel agents are wrapped up in out-of-date regulation and that this, combined with the challenging economic environment, is threatening travel industry jobs in all parts of the country.

The Irish Travel Agents Association has warned that the industry needs a break from red tape.