Ryanair cancels Edinburgh flights due to 'inexplicable' air traffic control strikes

Ryanair has been forced to cancel nearly 100 flights, including some from Edinburgh Airport, during what it describes as "inexplicable" strike action.

The airline pulled flights from Edinburgh, Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds and Belfast on June 6 with hundreds of holidaymakers affected. Bosses criticised the European Commission for its inability to prevent the strikes.

This marks the 84th day of strikes since 2023 while industrial action continues, reports the Mirror.

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Ryanair was forced to pull all flights to Paris Beauvais Airport, with French Air Traffic Controllers shutting off the airport. Passengers have been urged to check their journey before heading to the airport.

A spokesperson for Ryanair said: "It is inexplicable that Ursula von der Leyen and the EU Commission have failed to take action to protect EU passengers' Freedom of Movement during these repeated French ATC strikes. As a result, we have been forced to cancel almost 100 flight to/from Paris Beauvais Airport tomorrow, Thurs 6th June, unfairly disrupting thousands of EU passengers' travel plans at short notice."

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The spokesperson added: "EU passengers are sick and tired of suffering unnecessary cancellations during ATC strikes. The EU Commission must now act upon Ryanair's Protect Passengers - Keep EU Skies Open petition of more than 2.1m EU passengers' signatures which Ryanair delivered directly to the EU Commission offices in May, Sept and Jan."

The UK Foreign Office has updated its advice for travellers visiting France and warned people to "expect delays". The government issued fresh guidance to tourists in response to recent protests in the country

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Paris Beauvais Airport has also issued a travel warning to passengers, saying: "Major disruptions are expected in the flight schedule. Please contact your airline for any information on the status of your flight."

Currently, the 2.05pm flight from Edinburgh to Paris Beauvais has been cancelled.