Ryanair chief claims 40,000 passengers hit by cancellations this weekend due to strikes

Ryanair chief executive Michael O'Leary.

Ryanair chief executive Michael O'Leary has claimed up to 40,000 passengers will be affected by cancellations this bank holiday Monday, as the airline was forced to cancel 220 flights due to French air traffic control strikes.

However, Ryanair was unable to provide a "country-specific" list of the flights affected when contacted by the Irish Examiner.