EU slammed by Ryanair boss over ATC strikes

GUY TAYLOR

RYANAIR boss Michael O’Leary has hit out at the European Commission (EC) over its handling of strike action by staff at French air traffic control.

Following Ryanair’s first quarter results, O’Leary told analysts on a conference call that the continuing failure of the EC to take action to address the air traffic control (ATC) strikes was “inexplicable” but “exactly what you’d expect from anything run by European governments and by the EC”.

French strikes have already affected 60 days of flying so far this year and hit major airlines across Europe.

“We have long complained about the 60-day French ATC strike and the EC continues to sit on its hands doing nothing,” O’Leary said.

Ryanair, which claims the dispute has forced it to cancel over 4,000 flights, is calling for the protection of flights pass- ing through French airspace.

In an attack typical of the budget airline’s chief, O’Leary slammed EC president Ursula Von Der Leyen for “fobbing off” his correspondence.

“Nothing is being done for Europe. The minimum we’re calling for is protection of overflights during French ATC strikes and that hasn’t been delivered. Most of the ATC providers… are short staffed inexplicably, and are incapable of providing the staffing that’s necessary,” he said.

The strikes have caused chaos throughout Europe, with Easyjet cancelling 1,700 flights for the summer, citing airspace restrictions due to the ATC feud and war in Ukraine.

O’Leary’s comments came after Ryanair announced its first quarter results, which saw its profits for that quarter fly past pre-pandemic levels to €663m (£572m).

The EC was contacted for comment.

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