RYANAIR calls for urgent reform of air traffic control in Europe

60 canceled flights, 150 delayed departures due to “STAFF SHORTAGE” and ATC “INSTRUMENT FAILURE”.

Ryanair, Europe’s No. 1 airline, apologises to its passengers for the excessive flight delays and over 60 cancellations caused by the poor performance of European air traffic control on Thursday 27 June and again on Friday 28 June, which are impacting the operations of all European airlines.

Air traffic control services, which benefited from the absence of French ATC strikes this summer, continue to perform poorly (despite traffic volumes being 5% below 2019 levels) with repeated problems related to “staff shortages” and now “instrument failures” in Maastricht. On Thursday 27 June, over 30% of Ryanair’s 3,500 flights were delayed due to ATC disruptions. 16 aircraft did not return to base on Thursday night due to ATC delays, meaning they did not meet the landing times stipulated by the airport curfew. This morning, 25% of Ryanair’s first departures (150 aircraft out of 600) were delayed due to ATC “staff shortages” and “instrument failures” in Maastricht ATC. These repeated delays and cancellations of flights due to poor air traffic management are unacceptable.

Ryanair Chief Operations Officer Neal McMahon said:

“ATC services in Europe this summer are at their worst ever. Ryanair and many other European airlines are experiencing these disruptions resulting in repeated delays, cancellations and disruption to passengers due to poor management of European ATCs. We are calling on Raul Medina, Director General of Eurocontrol, to explain why European ATC centres are repeatedly understaffed and are now reporting “instrument failures” at the Maastricht centre, impacting all European airlines. It is unacceptable that 1 in 4 of Ryanair’s first departures today have been delayed due to ATC staff shortages and instrument failures.

Over the past three years, ATC charges in Europe have risen to record levels, but staffing and service levels have continued to decline. We call on European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to act to urgently reform Europe’s chaotic ATC services. Eurocontrol Director General Raul Medina must now act to provide an efficient and effective ATC service for Europe’s citizens. These repeated ATC-related delays and cancellations are unacceptable. We apologise to our passengers for these repeated inconveniences, which are deeply regrettable but beyond Ryanair’s control.”

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