Ryanair refunds - vouchers now or cash in a year

[whole diary]

[grahame]

From Breaking Travel News

Ryanair offers vouchers instead of cash refunds
 
Ryanair has warned some passengers may have to wait until the coronavirus pandemic has passed before they can claim cash refunds.

In the latest update to its refund policy, the low-cost carrier said it would offer vouchers and free changes of flight in the short-term.

Vouchers can, eventually, be exchanged for cash, but customers will have to wait a year.

Passengers can still claim cash refunds, Ryanair said, but they will be issued “in due course, once this unprecedented crisis is over”.

The Irish airline explained it had been inundated with refund claims.

[broadgage]

A cynic like me would suspect that Ryanair don't have the money to issue refunds.
I consider it possible that legal action may force them to refund money, they can then blame the subsequent insolvency on "ANOTHER unreasonable and disproportionate imposition by government"

BC there were growing concerns about the environmental impact of air travel with some people choosing to fly less, and others calling for greater taxes on air transport.
Add to this the virus induced reduction in demand, and I expect many airlines to bust over the next year or two.

There seems little public support for a government bailout of airlines, airports and related businesses.