RYANAIR has been forced to cancel thousands of flights to Lisbon this summer due to a lack of airport slots.
The low-cost airline has confirmed that 19 routes, which includes UK airports Birmingham and Bournemouth, will no longer go ahead.
This also includes other airports across Europe in Spain, Morocco and Italy.
The cancellations will affect 5,000 flights – working out to 900,000 passengers affected.
Ryanair confirmed that the cancellations are due to "TAP’s continued blocking of landing slots, which TAP cannot and will not use at Lisbon Portela this summer".
Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary said he "deeply regretted" the disruptions this would cause.
He said that they had no response from Prime Minister Costa, which meant they had to reduce their flights.
He added: "This anti-competitive slot blocking obstructs growth, and delays the recovery of traffic, tourism, and jobs at Lisbon Portela, to the detriment of the Lisbon economy."
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"The loss of these 19 Lisbon routes and 5,000 flights this Summer, means that Lisbon’s post Covid recovery will now lag behind other major EU capital cities."
He also added that they hope to return to their usual schedule by October for the winter season.
Passengers who have been affected will be offered full refunds or alternative flights to Lisbon.
Sun Online Travel has contacted TAP Portugal for comment.
In October last year, Ryanair had to cancel 700 flights to and from Lisbon due to the “anti-competitive ‘slot blocking’" meaning they were unable to operate.
Here is how to claim compensation if your flight is cancelled.
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