Ryanair refused to give £2,000 refund to 27 tourists who cancelled their flights to Brussels as city was under terror lockdown

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Ryanair has refused to give a refund to 27 British holidaymakers who cancelled their flights to Brussels while the Belgian city was under a terror lockdown.

Maria Doolan, from Liverpool, had booked a weekend break to celebrate her 60th birthday with friends and family, but decided not to travel after the Belgian government raised the terror threat and asked residents to stay indoors and avoid crowded places.

But when they tried to cancel their flights and seek a refund for more than £2,000 in airfare, the group were left out of pocket due to the budget airline's strict no refund policy.

Maria Doolan (left, with daughter Andrea) planned the weekend break to celebrate her 60th birthday

Maria's daughter, Andrea Doolan, 35, said Ryanair had shown 'no compassion whatsoever'.

She said: 'As soon as we heard they were on lockdown, we decided not to go.

'You cannot expect people to travel to a country on the highest threat alert there is - a country which is expecting an imminent attack.

'A country where people are being advised to stay away from public areas, metros and airports.'

She added: 'These flights in total cost well over £2,000. They've shown no compassion whatsoever.

'Most of these ladies are aged over 60 and are simply too frightened to travel, given the week's events. There would be armed guards on the street.'   

There are only four instances where the Dublin-based airline will offer refunds: in the case of an increase in charges after a flight is booked; when a flight is cancelled or delayed for more than three hours; following the death of an immediate family member who's not travelling; or the death or serious illness of a booked passenger.

Andrea, who works as a steward for another airline, said she was also shocked to find out that the airline would not even refund the group's baggage costs.

Ryanair has a strict no refund policy with some exceptions, but terror threats are currently not part of them

She added: 'What's annoying me is there's no sense of customer service. I haven't been able to speak to a human. They just tell me to send it to them in an email, which I've done.

'We are not asking for a refund - we are simply asking for either a credit to put towards a flight at a later date or at the very least an option to re-book free of charge once all this madness has calmed down.

'My friend was meant to be travelling with Brussels Airlines this weekend, and they are offering this service as a goodwill gesture - so I know it is doable.

'Ryanair's policy at such a time just adds insult to injury. The weekend has been ruined.'

A spokesperson for Ryanair said: 'Our flights to and from Brussels are running as normal and our standard flight change terms and conditions apply.'

According to the UK Foreign Office, the Level 3 threat has now been raised for the whole of Belgium.

Travellers are advised to remain alert and vigilant, especially in places with a high concentration of people.