Ryanair has again called on European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to immediately reform the European Air Traffic Control (ATC) system, complaining that 33 million passengers have already suffered delays by 2025 due to “mismanagement and staff shortages” at key national control centres.
The announcement was accompanied by the publication of the “ATC Delay League” for October, in which Ryanair ranks France, Spain, Germany and the UK as the worst countries in Europe for flight delays and cancellations.
According to the company’s data (January 1 – October 27, 2025):
- France: 64,095 delayed flights – 11.5 million passengers affected
- Spain: 39,021 delays – 7 million passengers
- Germany: 18,413 delays – 3.3 million passengers
- United Kingdom: 8,374 delays – 1.5 million passengers
- Greece: 7,377 delays – 1.3 million passengers
In contrast, the most efficient Air Traffic Control centers are located in Bulgaria, Slovakia, the Netherlands, Belgium and Denmark, where – according to Ryanair – no staffing or management problems are observed.
Criticism of the Commission and President von der Leyen
The company repeated its criticism of the European Commission, mockingly referring to the president as “Ursula von Derlayed-Again”, and accused Brussels of inaction in the face of the “ATC crisis”.
Ryanair and the European aviation body Airlines for Europe (A4E) are calling for:
Mandatory full staffing of national ATC services for the morning peak of flights, with fines in case of non-compliance.
Protection of overflights during national air traffic controller strikes.
The company is also calling on European passengers to visit the “Air Traffic Control Ruined Your Flight” page and demand that the Commission take action to improve services.
O’Leary: ‘Europe is sinking into chaos of delays’
Ryanair chief executive Michael O’Leary said:
“It is unjustifiable that Europe’s worst Air Traffic Control services – in France, Spain, Germany and the UK – continue to cause delays and cancellations for millions of citizens every month. Despite repeated warnings, the situation is not improving. Passengers are paying the price for mismanagement.”
He added that “the European Commission, under Ursula von der Leyen, has done nothing to address this crisis” and that “it is time to take action to end the chaos and protect the free movement of European citizens.”
