Ryanair cancels 40 flights to and from Stansted due to 'thunderstorms' and air traffic control staff shortages

‘This is my second failed attempt at getting to Berlin with Ryanair this weekend,’ tweeted one passenger

Thousands more Ryanair passengers have been hit by weather-related flight cancellations to and from Stansted.

At least 40 flights have been grounded due to what the airline calls “thunderstorms in Stansted” and staff shortages at air traffic control centres in Europe.

Services connecting the Essex airport with Lisbon, Budapest, Oslo, Marseille, Basel, Trieste, Copenhagen, Cologne, Glasgow and Cork are among those cancelled.

At least 7,000 passengers are affected. The airline said: “Ryanair sincerely apologise for these weather and ATC disruptions which are entirely beyond our control.

“The knock on effect of this and ATC staff shortages may cause further disruptions throughout the day, including delays and cancellations.

“Affected customers will be notified by email and SMS text message and advised of their options of a refund or free move to the next available flight.”

Over the weekend, Ryanair cancelled more than 100 flights, citing bad weather. Last Wednesday and Thursday 600 Ryanair flights were axed ahead of cabin crew strikes across Europe.

In the past week, around 150,000 Ryanair passengers have had their flights grounded.

Jeff Mills tweeted: “Sat on the tarmac aboard my Ryanair flight from 06.30-12.30 only to have it cancelled.

“This is my second failed attempt at getting to Berlin with Ryanair this weekend. Proper cowboys.”

Whatever the cause of cancellations, the duty of care to stranded passengers is clear. Travellers must be rebooked as soon as possible, which is generally regarded as being within 48 hours.

On the eve of the busiest holiday month, August, getting people to their destinations might prove difficult. At this time of year most flights are fully booked, making it hard for stranded travellers to find seats on alternative departures.

If Ryanair does not have suitable flights it must buy seats on rival airlines, and provide meals and, if necessary, hotel rooms until the replacement flight departs.

Cancelled passengers who have booked accommodation and car rental separately stand to lose hundreds of pounds; Ryanair will not pay for “consequential losses”, though they may be recoverable from travel insurers.

No other airline at the Essex airport has cancelled flights today.