Ryanair has released a new sharp statement criticising the European Commission over the Air Traffic Control (ATC) system, following a significant issue at Athens airport’s Eleftherios Venizelos.
The budget airline has called for urgent reforms to the air traffic control (ATC) system, highlighting the delays its flights experienced on Wednesday to and from Athens.
Specifically, Ryanair reported that, so far in 2025 (1 January – 20 August), more than 5,000 Ryanair flights and over 900,000 passengers have been unfairly delayed due to Greek ATC mismanagement and staff shortages, making Greece the 5th worst-performing ATC service for delays in Europe.
Ryanair criticised the European Commission, led by Ursula von der Leyen (whom they mockingly call “Derlayed-Again”), saying that although it claims to prioritise competitiveness and efficiency in Europe, it continues to allow ongoing mismanagement of air traffic control, disrupting flights and passengers.
“Ryanair has long campaigned for reform of EU air traffic controllers and is calling on all passengers to visit the ‘Air Traffic Control ruined your flight’ website and use the email template to complain directly to the Transport Secretary and demand reform of air traffic controllers,” the budget airline said.
Airlines criticise ‘unacceptable’ air traffic control problems in Europe
A Ryanair spokesperson said it was “unacceptable” that passengers continue to face issues at air traffic controls due to ongoing staff shortages across Europe.
Both Ryanair and fellow low-cost operator easyJet called for change after strike action by air traffic controllers in France in July this year disrupted around 1 million passengers. Over the two-day walkout, almost 3,000 flights were cancelled and more than 7,400 were delayed, according to Eurocontrol figures.
They also criticised the recent equipment failure in Athens on 20 August, which delayed 12 Ryanair flights and impacted over 2,000 passengers.
“When will Ursula von ‘Derlayed-Again’ and the EU Commission step up and take action to reform EU ATC and protect passengers from repeated ATC disruptions like this?” they asked.
“We encourage all passengers affected by these unacceptable ATC delays to visit the ‘Air Traffic Control Ruined Your Flight’ webpage and demand action to improve Europe’s failing ATC system.”
