Ryanair forced to pay for seats on rival airlines after cancellation scandal

Irish airline Ryanair has been forced to pay for replacement seats on rival airlines following the cancellation of hundreds of flights this week.

After a mix-up with the distribution of pilots’ holidays, the budget carrier said it had to cancel 40-50 flights per day for the next six weeks as it attempts to rectify the roster.

Ryanair said it was working to find solutions for the thousands of affected passengers, but also indicated that it would not be willing to place them on a suitable flight on a different carrier.

However, after an intervention from the Civil Aviation Authority the airline will now have to accommodate passengers on rival airlines - if necessary.

"Following an intervention from the CAA, Ryanair has confirmed to the UK regulator that it will reroute passengers on other airlines," the body said.

"Ryanair is well aware of these passenger rights and we have written to the airline to clarify their legal obligations and seek assurances on how and when they will provide alternative flights with other airlines," it added.

Michael O'Leary’s airline said earlier this week that it expected 95% of passengers to have either been booked onto another flight or given a refund.

It is now embroiled in a dispute with its pilots over how to avoid further cancellations, with the workers turning down bonuses in return for foregoing some holidays.