OVER 30M PASSENGERS DELAYED BY ATC MISMANAGEMENT & STAFF SHORTAGES IN 2025

RYANAIR CALLS ON URSULA VON “DERLAYED-AGAIN” TO REFORM EU’S BROKEN ATC OR QUIT!

Ryanair, Europe’s No.1 airline, today (Fri, 3 Oct) called on EU President, Ursula von “Derlayed-Again” to urgently reform the EU’s broken ATC services or quit. This comes as Ryanair released its September “ATC Delays League”, showing that France, Spain, Germany, the UK, and Greece are the worst ATCs for delays/cancellations because their Govts refuse to ensure their ATC services are properly staffed and managed.

There is no excuse for these worst ATC delays when Bulgaria, Slovakia, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Denmark are delivering efficient ATC services (without mismanagement or staff shortages) and are responsible for the fewest ATC delays/cancellations in Europe this year as a result.

Ryanair has long called for EU ATC reform, but Ursula von “Derlayed-Again” ignores these repeated ATC delays/cancellations, which have disrupted over 30m EU passengers so far this year. Ryanair is now calling on EU passengers to visit the ‘Air Traffic Control Ruined Your Flight’ webpage and demand that Ursula von “Derlayed-Again” take urgent action to reform the EU’s broken ATC by (1) mandating that national ATC services are fully staffed for the first wave of morning flights or face fines, and (2) protecting overflights (and the Single Market) during national ATC strikes.

Ryanair’s Michael O’Leary said:

“It is inexcusable that Europe’s worst performing ATCs in France, Spain, Germany, the UK, and Greece continue to inflict so many avoidable flight delays/cancellations on millions of Ryanair passengers. EU airlines have already offered the solution to these avoidable ATC delays/cancellations; (1) mandate that national ATC services are fully staffed for the first wave of morning flights or face fines, and (2) the EU Comm must act to protect overflights during national ATC strikes. Yet, EU President Ursula von “Derlayed-Again” sits in Brussels doing nothing to protect EU passengers or the Single Market for air travel.

EU ATC needs reform. If Ursula von “Derlayed-Again” won’t deliver it, then she should step aside and let someone competent do her job.”