In a sharply critical statement released on October 1, 2025, Ryanair did not hold back in its condemnation of the European Union’s inertia regarding ongoing delays and cancellations affecting flights across the continent. The airline particularly targeted France, attributing ongoing disruptions to “recreational strikes” and a “lack of staff,” heightening tensions in an already fragile system.
Ryanair’s frustrations come after the SNCTA , the largest union representing French air traffic controllers, filed a strike notice for October 7, 8, and 9 . This planned action adds to the chaos that has enveloped the airline industry in Europe, illustrating the crisis that has accelerated since the start of the year. According to the airline’s spokesperson, around 1,800 flights are projected to be canceled next week alone due to these impending strikes.
1,800 Flights Canceled Next Week
Ryanair announced that it has no choice but to cancel 600 flights per day during the strike days, which is further aggravated by the ongoing disruptions triggered by previous strikes and operational inefficiencies. In fact, 30 flights were already canceled on the Thursday preceding this announcement due to the national movement initiated by several labor organizations.
“Mald management, lack of staff, and ‘recreational’ strikes in French air traffic control” are cited as the primary culprits for the situation, according to Ryanair. The airline released a press statement emphasizing that since the start of the year, delays have impacted over 57,109 flights , affecting 10.2 million passengers . This marks a staggering 66% increase compared to data from the same period in 2024 .
With this, France has emerged as a leader in the negative ranking, having the highest instances of flight delays in Europe. Following closely is Spain, with 34,145 delayed flights and 6.1 million passengers affected, while Germany records 16,132 flights delayed, impacting around 2.9 million travelers. These statistics not only reflect the state of air travel but underscore a growing discontent from major airlines with the *current operational mechanisms within the EU*.
A Reform Required in the European Union
Ryanair has now turned its attention towards the upper echelons of EU governance, issuing a direct call to Ursula von der Leyen , the President of the European Commission, to intervene. They have humorously dubbed her “Ursula von Derlayed-Again,” effectively mocking the current situation inflicted upon countless passengers affected by cancellations and delays. Ryanair is advocating for emergency reforms in air traffic control across the European Union.
In their press release, Ryanair listed crucial steps necessary to ameliorate the ongoing crisis: primarily recruiting and training more air traffic controllers to manage services effectively. This urgent need to strengthen human resources is echoed throughout the industry, as many airlines and stakeholders express frustration with existing staffing shortages that have exacerbated operational challenges.
For passengers who find themselves frustrated by the current state of air travel, Ryanair has set up a webpage titled Air Traffic Control Ruined Your Flight . This platform allows irate customers to submit complaints directly to the transport ministers in the affected countries, hoping to incite action from public authorities to prevent further chaos. Not surprisingly, the contact information for Philippe Tabarot , the French Minister of Transport, sits at the top of this list.
As the situation unfolds, industry experts and analysts are closely monitoring the responses from both airline officials and government authorities. The spotlight remains on how effectively the EU will respond to Ryanair’s outcry and what operational reforms might be enacted to stabilize a system that has seen significant disruptions over the past year. Whether these planned strikes will unfold as projected and the impact they will have on passengers, airlines, and air traffic controllers alike is yet to be seen.
In conclusion, Ryanair’s pointed critique of the European Union and French authorities has highlighted the critical need for change within the air traffic control system. As delays and cancellations continue to plague the industry, the call for urgent reforms becomes ever more pressing. The outcome of the impending strike action and Ryanair’s calls for action could determine whether or not these issues are adequately addressed in the near future.