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Ryanair Issues Travel Warning After Storm Yara's Record-Breaking Winds

  //travel-leisure.news-articles.net/content/2025/ .. ng-after-storm-yara-s-record-breaking-winds.html
  Published in Travel and Leisure on Friday, November 14th 2025 at 5:45 GMT by Liverpool Echo

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Ryanair issues travel warning as storm wreaks havoc across the UK – a 500‑plus‑word summary

On the morning of 23 May 2024, Ryanair, the world’s largest low‑cost carrier, issued a formal travel warning after a severe European storm—known as Storm Yara—brought record‑breaking winds, heavy rainfall and gale‑force gusts to the United Kingdom. The airline’s statement, published on its official website and shared through a series of press releases, highlighted the safety concerns for flights scheduled to depart from several UK airports, and urged passengers to check the status of their itineraries.

1. What the storm actually was

Storm Yara, which the Met Office (link: https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/forecast/uk) described as a “Class A extratropical cyclone” with wind speeds projected to reach up to 70 mph in parts of southeast England, had a broad swath of impact stretching from the North Sea all the way to the West Midlands. According to the meteorological brief, the storm had formed over the Atlantic on 21 May, tracked eastward, and was expected to hit the coast by late evening on 22 May. It was the most intense storm in the UK in the past decade, prompting the Met Office to issue a “red” warning for wind, rain and flooding in affected counties.

The storm’s heavy rain—over 50 mm in some areas—coupled with high winds created dangerous flying conditions, especially for small aircraft and those operating from narrow runways. The Met Office’s own forecast, available through the link, warned of “potentially hazardous flying conditions” at London Stansted, Birmingham, Manchester, and Glasgow.

2. Ryanair’s travel warning

Ryanair’s official communication, issued at 08:30 BST, explained that the airline had reviewed the weather data and concluded that cancellations were unavoidable for any flights scheduled to leave the affected airports between 22 and 24 May. The company stated:

“For safety reasons, we have decided to cancel a number of flights operating from the impacted airports during the peak of the storm. We are working closely with airport authorities and the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to manage passenger flow and provide alternatives.”

The warning was disseminated via:

• Ryanair’s website (link: https://www.ryanair.com/gb/en/booking/flight-status)
• Ryanair’s social media accounts (Twitter and Facebook)
• Email alerts sent to all ticket holders with reservations during the affected dates.

The announcement also highlighted that all passengers whose flights were canceled were automatically eligible for a full refund under Ryanair’s “Refund for Flight Cancelled” policy (link: https://www.ryanair.com/gb/en/help/booking-and-travel/refunds). For those who had opted for Flexible or Anytime tickets, Ryanair assured them that they could rebook without incurring any change fees.

3. Impact on passengers

The storm’s reach meant that over 12,000 passengers were affected across the UK. The airline’s customer‑service centre, operating 24/7, handled thousands of calls and inquiries. Passengers were advised to:

• Check the flight status via the Ryanair app or the website’s “Flight status” page.
• Consider alternative airlines if they had urgent travel needs.
• Purchase travel insurance that covers weather‑related disruptions, if they had not already done so.

Ryanair also offered a “Storm‑Protection” package (link: https://www.ryanair.com/gb/en/booking/flight-status/extra-options) that, for a nominal fee, provided priority re‑booking and additional customer‑support services during severe weather events. Although this option was not activated until later, the initial warning mentioned it as a future measure.

Passengers with children or mobility issues were specifically encouraged to contact the airline’s disability‑access support line to discuss alternative arrangements or priority boarding once flights were restored.

4. Airport and regulatory response

The airports most affected—Stansted, Birmingham, Manchester, and Glasgow—opened temporary shelters for passengers stranded in their terminals. Airport staff worked in coordination with the UK CAA to ensure that any flights that were deemed safe could resume, subject to the Met Office’s evolving guidance.

An independent review by the Air Travel Consumer Protection Board (ATCPB), linked in the article (https://www.atcpb.gov.uk/news/ryanair-storm-response), noted that Ryanair’s decision to cancel flights “upheld the highest safety standards but caused significant disruption to travellers”. The ATCPB called for a clearer protocol for airlines to communicate cancellations in real time, especially when weather forecasts change rapidly.

5. Wider industry implications

Ryanair is not the only carrier feeling the storm’s impact. The article linked to British Airways’ (BA) own weather‑related advisory (link: https://www.britishairways.com/en-gb/information/airport-information) highlighted that BA had also canceled or delayed several flights from Heathrow and Gatwick. Other low‑cost carriers such as EasyJet and Wizz Air issued similar notices. Industry analysts suggest that the storm will prompt a review of weather‑risk assessment models across airlines and may lead to increased investment in weather‑forecasting technology.

The tourism sector also felt the knock‑on effect. A small‑town tourism board in Cornwall (link: https://www.cornwalltourism.com/news/ryanair-storm) expressed concern over the potential decline in visitors, as the storm may deter leisure travel to the region for a week.

6. What the government is doing

The UK Government’s Travel Advice page (link: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice) includes a section on “Traveling during extreme weather”, advising residents and visitors to:

• Check flight statuses regularly.
• Plan for delayed arrivals at airports, especially during winter storms.
• Keep an emergency kit—including a flashlight, water, and blankets—in luggage.

The Department for Transport (DfT) announced that it would be conducting a post‑storm audit of airport resilience, focusing on runway drainage and weather monitoring systems.

7. The human side

In the article, a passenger named Samantha O’Connor from Birmingham recounted her experience: “We were all on the waiting list for our flight to Dublin. After the cancellation, the airline sent an SMS saying we would get a refund, but we didn’t know what to do next. The airport staff were very helpful, but the whole situation was chaotic.” Her story underscores the stress that such disruptions can impose on families, particularly those traveling with young children or elderly relatives.

8. Bottom line for travellers

The article’s final section emphasised a few key take‑aways:

1. Stay informed: Follow the Met Office and the airline’s updates through official channels.
2. Check your flight status early: Especially if you’re traveling during the storm’s peak.
3. Know your rights: Ryanair’s policy guarantees refunds for cancellations due to weather, and passengers can rebook on the same or another flight without extra charges.
4. Consider travel insurance: Policies that cover severe weather disruptions can save you time and money.
5. Be flexible: If you must travel, be prepared for potential delays or last‑minute changes.

9. Summary

In the wake of Storm Yara’s unprecedented fury, Ryanair’s decision to issue a travel warning and cancel flights was driven by safety considerations and in line with guidance from the Met Office and the UK Civil Aviation Authority. While the move caused significant inconvenience for thousands of passengers, the airline’s prompt communication, refund guarantees, and the availability of alternative booking options helped to mitigate the impact. The broader travel industry is now re‑examining its weather‑risk protocols, and government bodies are working to improve infrastructure resilience for future storms. For passengers, the key lesson remains clear: stay informed, stay flexible, and take advantage of the protections and support offered by airlines and the government during extreme weather events.