Ryanair has been urged to release the full list of flights affected by its decision to cancel as many as 50 services a day for the next six weeks.

The low-cost carrier said it “messed up” staff holiday applications, meaning it would be forced to cancel two per cent of its flights each day in order to give pilots and other employees sufficient time off in the coming weeks.

However, Ryanair has so far only revealed which flights will be cancelled up until Wednesday this week, leaving many passengers in the dark about whether their journeys will take place.

This has now caused growing anger among customers.

Rory Boland, Which? travel editor, said: “Ryanair cancelling many flights at short notice will cause huge inconvenience and great distress for its passengers.

“It must arrange alternative flights or provide a full refund for everyone affected.

“It’s also essential that Ryanair release a full list of flights that will be affected so that passengers have as much time as possible to make alternate arrangements.”

Reports on Monday suggested recruitment problems were affecting the airline.

There are claims the Irish carrier had lost pilots to rival Norwegian Air.

A Norwegian spokesperson told the BBC said: “We can confirm that 140 pilots have joined us from Ryanair this year.

“Pilot recruitment is also underway for more pilots for our new Dublin base opening later this year.”

Ryanair has also said air traffic control strikes and bad weather were factors, and said the move would improve flight punctuality.

“We will cancel 40 to 50 flights daily for the next six weeks, less than two per cent of our schedule, with a slightly higher number initially, as we begin to implement these cancellations,” explained Ryanair spokesman Kenny Jacobs.

“Flights are operating as scheduled unless an email confirming a cancellation has been received.

“We advise customers to check the email address used to make their booking.

“Cancellation notices for flights cancelled up to and including Wednesday 20th September have been sent to affected customers.”