AIRLINE Ryanair is being urged to cancel its flights to Spain and its islands as it emerged the company does not plan to reduce its traffic to the country.

Would-be holidaymakers who are following the advice of the Foreign Office and cancelling non-essential travel, are facing being left hundreds of pounds out of pocket as Ryanair says it plans to maintain its traffic to and from Spain, although the Foreign Office and First Minister has recommended that people should stay at home following the increase in coronavirus cases over there.

The airline said on Tuesday that it would not be cancelling flights to or from Spain.

Instead the airline is offering to move bookings to a future date at a charge of £80 per passenger and then pay the difference on a new flight.

That’s despite operators like Tui and Jet2 cancelling flights to Spain following the change to Foreign Office travel advice.

Commenting, SNP MP for Crossgates, Hill of Beath and Moss-side, Douglas Chapman, said: “Continuing with scheduled flights when the Foreign Office has advised against travel is just plain irresponsible.

“Travellers are taking the sensible decision to cancel their holidays as a result of the pandemic to prevent the risk to their health and that of others.

“I know this has been a tough time for airlines, but this could do more reputational damage to them in the future if they leave passengers hundreds of pounds worse off by not following government advice.

“I would urge Ryanair to reconsider its position and follow the lead of other airlines in cancelling services to Spain.”

One disappointed holidaymaker who got in touch with Dunfermline and West Fife MP, Mr Chapman said: “This is adding stress to an already stressful situation. As soon as the advice from the Foreign Office changed and the quarantine rules were reintroduced we tried to cancel our flights, but Ryanair has refused to give us a refund as the flight is still going ahead.

“If we were to move the flight to another date it is going to cost us £600.

“It is making me consider whether I would ever fly with them again.”