EIDW - if a website is going through a major upgrade there is always the chance that something goes wrong - either technically or someone has made a mistake in thinking how customers will behave. Obvious answer is to minimise risk - eg removing CAPTCHA until company is sure new website is working well and then reimpose CAPTCHA.
bcn boy - sounds obvious (or not with Ryanair) but could I hently suggest phoning Ryanair ? Phone charges will admittedly be extortionate but a few mins on the phone may resolve it all