An urgent warning has been issued to all passengers travelling today as Europe’s air traffic control network faces severe issues, leading to cancellations and delays.
Ryanair, the budget airline, has voiced its frustration as it claims the issue is affecting all European airlines including Wizz, Jet2 and Easyjet during the peak summer travel period. The airline revealed that nearly 100 flights have been delayed today (Thursday July 18) due to a shortage of Euro air traffic control staff.
Holidaymakers have taken to X, formerly known as Twitter, to express their dissatisfaction over cancelled or delayed flights. In a statement released today, Ryanair said: “Ryanair, Europe’s No.1 airline, on Thu 18 Jul apologises to its passengers for the excessive flight delays caused by European ATC staff shortages today Thu 18 Jul which are affecting all European airlines “
“ATC services, which have had the benefit of no French ATC strike disruption this summer, continue to underperform (despite flight volumes being 5% behind 2019 levels) with repeated “staff shortages”.”
“On Thu 18 Jul, 17% of Ryanair’s first wave departures (97 of 582 aircraft) were delayed due to ATC “staff shortages”. These repeated flight delays due to ATC mismanagement are unacceptable. We apologise to our passengers for these repeated ATC flight delays which are deeply regrettable but beyond Ryanair’s control.”
Tom, a passenger on Jet2, voiced his concerns on Twitter: “@jet2tweets we are at Kos airport and due to board a flight to Stansted (LS1482) but understand it’s still at Stansted. Is there any update on timing or if the flight will still be tonight? ” In response, Jet2 explained: “Hi Tom, thank you for getting in touch, Your flight is delayed due to a medical incident on your operating aircraft, followed by Air Traffic Control restrictions. Your new departure time is 01:50. Flight information is also available at http://jet2.com/info.”
Another passenger, Oliver, shared his travel woes: “What a terrible day of travelling. Sat on the floor of a Polish train for 7.5 hours. @jet2tweets flight delayed by 85 mins and then we land and @manairport airbridge is broken so they ‘will try and fix it’s, last train back into Manchester leaves in 40 minutes! “.
Iain Corby expressed his frustration after his outbound flight was cancelled: “My outbound LGW-GVA flight was cancelled tonight. No point in going as I will miss tomorrow morning’s meeting. How do I get a refund from my return from GVA-MAN for Friday which I obviously can’t take any more.”
Henry, another disgruntled passenger, pleaded for better communication: “I can deal with a late departure.. but honestly an announcement would be amazing! We’re stuck here like cattle 15 mins after take off time with not a single word as to what’s happening EZY2813.. Bristol..”
Eddie Wilson, the CEO of Ryanair DAC, shared his concerns with The Independent: “It is really, really difficult at the moment with ATC. Over the last 10 days something happened in terms of how they organise it or their staffing. We, like other airlines, were hitting 30 per cent of [total delays] down to air-traffic control.”
“You have localised weather issues at the start of the day, down to freezing fog or wind issues like that. But there has been a meltdown in European air traffic control over the last two weeks.”