Ryanair flight disruptions: Warning issued over 'excessive delays' at airports
As of this morning, 17% of Ryanair's initial wave of departures experienced delays. The airline has expressed its frustration, labelling the situation 'unacceptable'.
Ryanair has issued an urgent warning to passengers travelling with the airline today. It is expecting “excessive flight delays” due to ongoing air traffic control (ATC) staff shortages across Europe. These shortages are affecting all European airlines.
As of this morning, 17% of Ryanair's initial wave of departures (98 out of 587 aircraft) experienced delays. The airline has expressed its frustration, labelling the situation "unacceptable."
A spokesperson for Ryanair apologised for the delays, describing them as "deeply regrettable but beyond Ryanair’s control". Passengers are advised to check their flight status regularly and plan for potential delays.
A notice on Ryanair's website reads: "Ryanair, Europe’s No.1 airline, on Sun (18 Aug) apologised to its passengers for the excessive flight delays caused by European ATC staff shortages today Sun 18 Aug which is affecting all European airlines.
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"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 Sun 18 Aug, 17% of Ryanair’s first wave departures (98 of 587 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."
Ryanair faced similar disruption earlier this summer, when one in every four of Ryanair’s first wave departures were delayed on June 27 due to ATC staff shortages and equipment failures.
At the time, Ryanair chief operating officer Neal MacMahon said in a statement: “ATC services in Europe this summer are at their worst levels ever. Ryanair and many other European airlines are having our schedules repeatedly delayed, flights cancelled, and passengers disrupted due to the mismanagement of European ATC. We call on Raul Medina, DG of Eurocontrol, to explain why Europe’s ATC centres are repeatedly short staffed and now claiming “equipment failures” at the Maastricht centre, which is affecting all European airlines. It is unacceptable that 1 in every 4 of Ryanair’s first wave departures today were delayed due of ATC staff shortages and equipment failures.
"Over the last 3 years, Europe’s ATC fees have risen by record levels, but staffing and service levels have continued to decline. We call on EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to take action to urgently reform Europe’s shambolic ATC services. Eurocontrol DG Raul Medina must now act to deliver an efficient and effective ATC service to Europe’s citizens. 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.”
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