Jet2, Ryanair, Easyjet, TUI passengers with July and August flights warned over 'perfect storm'

UK tourists flying out to Europe this summer have been warned over flight cancellations and disruptions. Jet2, Ryanair, Easyjet, TUI, British Airways and more passengers should prepare for more flight cancellations this summer.

Air Traffic Control (ATC) staff shortages have caused problems for airlines and Ryanair boss Michael O' Leary has labelled the problems 'unacceptable' as other problems like bad weather and a shortage of planes are also contributing to the chaos.

The airline said: "On Tuesday July 9, 15 per cent of Ryanair’s first wave of departures, 88 out of 580 aircraft, were delayed due to ATC ‘staff shortages’. These repeated flight delays due to ATC mismanagement are unacceptable."

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Speaking to the Airport Industry Review, Patricia Gilbert from the IFATCA said: “I would say a lot of this has to do with the rapid return to air travel we saw after the pandemic. When Covid shut travel down, many countries reduced their ATCO workforce, offering early retirement and in some cases letting go of trainees.

"Many also stopped hiring and training, which added to the staffing problems they’re now seeing.” Frédéric Deleau, seconds this, stating that in 2023 there was a reported shortage of between 700-1,000 ATCOs across Europe.

“Every country I’m in contact with across the western hemisphere has significant staffing concerns (regarding ATCOs),” notes Gilbert. “I would say a lot of this has to do with the rapid return to air travel we saw after Covid-19. Going into the pandemic when travel shut down, many countries reduced their ATCO workforce, offering early retirement and in some cases letting go of trainees.

"Many also stopped hiring and training, which added to the staffing problems they’re now seeing.” Gilbert said: "If you look at small island nations, such as the Caribbean, they may only be operating with 15-30 controllers, so it doesn’t take the loss of many to cause a problem to everyday operations."