Which? said Ryanair’s decision to pull out of the Aviation ADR scheme last year meant passengers were now having to “jump through hoops” to claim compensation for delayed or cancelled flights.

In the 11 months before Ryanair left Aviation ADR in November 2018, the arbitration scheme received more than 14,000 complaints about the airline leading to compensation payments in excess of £2.6 million to passengers and another £1 million in fees.

Which? said after leaving Aviation ADR, the number of claims being pursued by passengers against Ryanair through the CAA dropped to only 553. Which? said this showed the carrier was making “huge savings” by not having to pay fees and compensation.

The consumer body said Ryanair’s move showed the need for a “single mandatory resolution scheme which handles complaints swiftly and has real teeth” to operate across the airline sector.

Rory Boland, Which? Travel editor, added: “The broken aviation complaints system favours the interests of airlines over passengers – allowing them to wriggle out of paying compensation and putting many people off claiming at all.

“The uphill struggle that many have faced trying to claim the compensation they are owed has left thousands of holidaymakers significantly out of pocket for delayed and cancelled flights.

“It demonstrates why all airlines must be made to sign up to a single resolution scheme with real power to ensure passengers are treated fairly and money is paid out where it’s due.”