Ryanair insists on better regulation of air traffic control in Europe
Ryanair has lodged a formal complaint with the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen. In that complaint, he is demanding an urgent reform of air traffic management, after analyses showed a dramatic increase in delays. French air traffic control was particularly highlighted.
French problem and hundreds of millions of euros in losses
An investigation by the French Senate has confirmed that delays caused by air traffic control there have risen by as much as 60 percent compared to the pre-pandemic period. This vicious cycle of inefficiency is not only creating logistical chaos but also enormous financial losses for airlines. Expert estimates suggest that these operational problems will cost European airlines around €800 million by 2025. The head of Ryanair, Michael O’Leary, is vociferously protesting. This is because, despite clear guidelines from Mario Draghi's report on competitiveness last year, concrete steps and reforms in aviation are still lacking.
Two key requirements for saving the flight network
The Irish carrier from Brussels is seeking the introduction of two key rules. The first concerns the legal guarantee of a minimum number of workers in control centres during morning peak loads. This would be accompanied by strict fines for non-compliance. The second, even more important, demand is legal protection for overflights of countries experiencing strikes. This would exempt transit flights that only pass through airspace, for example France, from local labour disputes. In this way, flights would continue to operate unimpeded.
Between staff shortages and strict regulation
On the other hand, Eurocontrol and trade unions highlight the complexity of the situation. European airspace is overloaded. The closure of airspace in the east of the continent has rerouted flights, and adverse weather conditions are becoming increasingly unpredictable. Unions point out that the current shortage of air traffic controllers is actually a consequence of years of cost-cutting measures encouraged by the airlines themselves. At the same time, rapid training of new staff is simply not feasible as the process takes years. The conflict over control of national airspace and the sovereignty of member states thus reopens the question. Specifically, it raises the question of whether the European Commission can even implement the centralisation of air traffic management.
