AIRLINES including Ryanair and Wizz Air have been forced to cancel flights due to a number of problems with air traffic control.
Ryanair confirmed that more than 60 flights were cancelled, with another 150 delayed due to the ATC issues.
It is claimed that both staff shortages and equipment failure at the Maastricht centre have caused the problems.
Nats’ chief operations officer Kathryn Leahy told the BBC that the reason behind the shortages was due to the lack of controller training due to the pandemic, although said the training schedules are now as “full as possible”.
Wizz Air said they have also been forced to cancel a number of flights, with many more than three hours delayed.
And Ryanair’s Chief Ops Officer Neal McMahon said said ATC services were at their “worst levels ever”.
They said: “Ryanair and many other European airlines are having our schedules repeatedly delayed, flights cancelled, and passengers disrupted due to the mismanagement of European ATC.”
The budget airline said they were calling on Eurocontrol to investigate why the problems were ongoing.
They added: “These repeated ATC delays and cancellations are unacceptable.
“We apologise to our passengers for these repeated ATC flight delays and flight cancellations, which are deeply regrettable but beyond Ryanair’s control.”
Wizz Air passengers have also been affected.
Holly Patrick, from Folkestone, was told her 11:15am Faro to London Gatwick flight was delayed, only for the airline to cancel it.
She was forced to shell out hundreds for new flights, now with a stopover in Luxembourg, after the airline only offered new flights the following day, meaning she would miss her best friends hen do.
Holly told the Sun: “I burst into tears when I was told our flight was cancelled.
“I organised this hen do, and all of the goody bags are in my house.
“She’s been wanting to get married since her 20s she’s now 44 – I wasn’t willing to miss this.”
A Wizz Air spokesperson said: “The Wizz Air network suffered over 30,000 extra airport slot delay minutes in the past four weeks compared to the same period last year, as a result of this extraordinary situation.
“We apologise for the inconvenience this may have caused to some of our passengers, but unfortunately, this issue is out of our control.
These repeated ATC delays and cancellations are unacceptable
Neal McMahon, Ryanair’s Chief Ops Officer
“Wizz Air is doing everything to accommodate as many passengers as possible, but in case our external partners are unable to support all requests due to lack of room availability, passengers may be asked to arrange their own accommodation.
“Passengers can be assured that they will be able to claim for reimbursement of relevant out-of-pocket expenses up to a reasonable amount through Wizz Air’s official website.”
“Wizz Air was prepared to ensure smooth summer operations for its passengers; however, the air traffic control system seems to be experiencing significant issues this summer.
“As an industry, we are compelled to escalate these issues with the relevant air traffic management authorities, including Eurocontrol, to ensure proper mitigation actions are implemented to minimise disruptions.”
Passengers will be contacted vis text or email if their flights are affected.
The Sun has contacted air traffic control provider NATS for comment.
A spokesperson said earlier this year, however, that they were “well resourced and staffed across our centres”.
Last week, flight cancellations hit Gatwick Airport after two air traffic controllers were sick.
An aviation source told Travel Weekly it was “not acceptable,” adding: “Gatwick has been doing way better than it was, but it’s not resilient.
“Just two ATC staff went sick and we had 40-odd cancellations.”
And it also comes just hours after flights were suspended at London Gatwick Airport, when a plane was left stuck on the runway.
The incident involved British Airways flight BA2279 to Vancouver, Canada.
Flightradar24 reported the closure of the runway at 12.53pm and stated at 1.14pm it had reopened.
A Gatwick Airport spokesperson said: “The main runway was closed for a short time today due to a departing aircraft having hot brakes.
Flight compensation rules
What are my rights if my flight is cancelled or delayed?
Under UK law, airlines have to provide compensation if your flight arrives at its destination more than three hours late.
If you’re flying to or from the UK, your airline must let you choose a refund or an alternative flight.
You will be able to get your money back for the part of your ticket that you haven’t used yet.
So if you booked a return flight and the outbound leg is cancelled, you can get the full cost of the return ticket refunded.
But if travelling is essential, then your airline has to find you an alternative flight. This could even be with another airline.
When am I not entitled to compensation?
The airline doesn’t have to give you a refund if the flight was cancelled due to reasons beyond their control, such as extreme weather.
Disruptions caused by things like extreme weather, airport or air traffic control employee strikes or other ‘extraordinary circumstances’ are not eligible for compensation.
Some airlines may stretch the definition of the “extraordinary circumstances” but you can challenge them through the aviation regulator the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).
Will my insurance cover me if my flight is cancelled?
If you can’t claim compensation directly through the airline, your travel insurance may refund you.
Policies vary so you should check the small print, but a delay of eight to 12 hours will normally mean you qualify for some money from your insurer.
Remember to get written confirmation of your delay from the airport as your insurer will need proof.
If your flight is cancelled entirely, you’re unlikely to be covered by your insurance.
“Safety is our top priority and the dedicated airport fire service swiftly attended to support the aircraft.”
Flights are back to operating as usual.
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