Ryanair urges EU action on air traffic control delays after French Senate report

International

Airline calls for reforms as French Senate describes the country's air traffic control system as Europe's worst performer

Ryanair has renewed its call for reform of Europe's air traffic control system, urging European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to take action to reduce delays and improve the competitiveness of European aviation. The airline said it had sent a letter to the Commission President together with a report from the French Senate, which describes France's air traffic control service as "the worst in Europe" and states that delays attributed to the French system increased by 60 percent in 2025 compared with 2019.

According to Ryanair, the Senate report also estimates that disruptions caused by the French air traffic control system will cost European airlines around €800 million in 2025. The carrier argues that while air traffic control charges continue to increase across Europe, airlines have no mechanism to recover costs resulting from delays caused by air navigation service providers.

Ryanair calls for structural reform

The airline is urging the European Commission to introduce measures requiring all European air traffic control providers to be fully staffed for the first wave of morning departures, with financial penalties for operators that fail to meet these standards.

Ryanair is also calling for legislation to protect overflights during national air traffic control strikes, arguing that flights passing through affected airspace should not be disrupted by industrial action in individual countries.

According to the airline, these proposals have been repeatedly presented to the European Commission over the past two years, but no meaningful reforms have been introduced.

CEO criticises lack of progress

Commenting on the issue, Ryanair Group CEO Michael O'Leary sharply criticised European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

"It is time for the useless von der Leyen to stop talking about competitiveness and start delivering it. For many years Europe's airlines have called for effective reform of Europe's failing air traffic control services. At a minimum, the Commission should require European air navigation service providers to be fully staffed for the first wave of morning departures or face meaningful financial penalties. We have also called for overflights to be protected during national ATC strikes. Despite these repeated requests, the useless von der Leyen has done nothing."

O'Leary also argued that, despite recommendations contained in Mario Draghi's 2024 report on European competitiveness, the Commission has failed to introduce reforms addressing air traffic control delays or the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS). He called for greater action to strengthen Europe's aviation sector and reduce operational costs for airlines and passengers.