Simpson Travel seeks CAA help to settle £46k Ryanair dispute

“In some cases, it has been 10 months since we received notification that Ryanair flights were cancelled," said Simpson operations director Ed Pyke.

"Although we have been through all the processes of rejecting vouchers that have been issued to us and using the forms on the Ryanair website to apply for cash refunds, we are still no further forward in getting the money owed back.

"I have also written to Ryanair and have not received a response.”

The operator stressed Ryanair’s duty to provide cash refunds was set in law, in much the same way it has had to pay out for cancellations or re-bookings to fulfil its obligations under the Package Travel Regulations.

Founder Graham Simpson added that following the Irish Travel Agents Association’s (ITAA) claim earlier this week that Ryanair owes its members €20 million (£17.5 million), he would encourage other operators to seek help from the CAA to bring this matter to a swift conclusion and demand Ryanair "honour their legal obligation to provide refunds for cancelled flights”.

A Ryanair spokesperson said: “These claims are false. Ryanair has no liability or debt to any travel agent, who make unauthorised bookings on our website in breach of Ryanair’s terms and conditions. Under EU261 regulation all refunds are due to passengers only.

"All Ryanair passengers who booked via an unauthorised agent can request their refund via Ryanair’s Customer Verification Form, accessible on the Ryanair.com website.

"Travel agents are aware of this process and are failing to communicate it to consumers, as this will expose the fact that they have overcharged these customers for fares that are higher than that paid to Ryanair, or they have added hidden or excessive fees and charges to their unsuspecting consumers”.

TTG has approached the CAA for comment.