A new call for immediate reform of Air Traffic Control (ATC) services in Europe was made by Ryanair while publishing its monthly “League of Delays” report for June. At the top of the negative ranking are once again France, Spain, Germany, Portugal, and the United Kingdom, which Ryanair accuses of mismanagement and staff shortages in national ATC services.
According to the company, these five countries are responsible for the most flight delays in Europe in 2024, while other countries, such as Slovakia, Denmark, Ireland, Belgium, and the Netherlands, manage to provide much better services without significant staffing or management problems.
“Unjustified delays at the expense of passengers and airlines”
“Passengers and airlines are paying dearly for air traffic services that do not meet expectations. These countries are state monopolies that are not accountable to anyone,” said Ryanair chief executive Michael O’Leary. He stressed that the problem is now chronic, as no meaningful action has been taken by the European Commission or local transport ministers.
O’Leary spoke of continued “indifference” by national authorities, which, he claims, are not hiring enough staff to ensure the smooth functioning of ATC services, resulting in thousands of flights – and millions of passengers – being delayed every month.
Public pressure campaign: “Air Traffic Control Ruined Your Flight”
Ryanair is calling on passengers across Europe to visit the ‘Air Traffic Control Ruined Your Flight’ website, through which they can complain directly to national transport ministers and demand better staffing and management of ATC services ahead of the peak summer season.
The airline, which operates more than 3,000 flights a day, claims that delays caused by the inadequacies of these countries disproportionately affect both airlines and passengers.
European aviation divide
The problem with Air Traffic Services is not new. France in particular, with repeated strikes by controllers in recent years, is constantly in the sights of airlines and their unions. Despite subsidies and significant revenues from airspace charges, many national services are unable to cope with the growing volume of flights, with a negative impact on the reliability of air transport.
In contrast, countries with smaller but better-managed networks, such as Ireland and Denmark, seem to be managing to drastically reduce delays, even during peak periods.
European intervention called for
Ryanair is calling on the EU to proceed with a comprehensive reform of the governance of Air Traffic Services, focusing on staffing and efficiency. The aim, according to the company, is to stop these services operating as “uncontrolled state monopolies” and to finally put them within a framework of accountability.
As the summer is expected to be particularly demanding for air transport in Europe, the confrontation between Ryanair and national governments is expected to intensify, bringing to the fore the chronic issue of infrastructure and air traffic management in the EU.
