Ryanair Delays: Email Minister, Passengers Told
- Ryanair is actively encouraging passengers affected by delays stemming from UK air traffic control (ATC) issues to directly contact British Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander, urging her to address...
- Between January 1 and September 1, 2023, Ryanair reported that 5,782 of its flights were impacted by delays attributed to NATS, the UK's primary ATC provider.
- The UK government holds a 49% share in NATS, a public-private partnership, and retains important control through a golden share.
Ryanair Escalates Pressure on UK Government Over air Traffic Control Delays
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Airline Calls for Urgent Action to Address NATS Shortcomings
Ryanair is actively encouraging passengers affected by delays stemming from UK air traffic control (ATC) issues to directly contact British Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander, urging her to address the problems. The airline has published Alexander’s publicly available parliamentary email address on a dedicated website, Air Traffic Control ruined Your Flight
, as part of this campaign.
Between January 1 and September 1, 2023, Ryanair reported that 5,782 of its flights were impacted by delays attributed to NATS, the UK’s primary ATC provider. The airline contends that NATS is mismanaged and short-staffed
, directly leading to widespread disruption for travelers.
Government Ownership and Control of NATS
The UK government holds a 49% share in NATS, a public-private partnership, and retains important control through a golden share
. This structure allows the government to influence key decisions within the organization.
Ryanair’s Director of Communications, Jade Kirwan, stated that the ongoing ATC issues are unacceptable
and have already caused unnecessary delays for over one million Ryanair passengers in 2023, many of whom were traveling with families. Kirwan directly attributes these disruptions to a lack of action by transport Secretary Alexander in adequately staffing UK ATC services.
Website and Criticism of European Commission
The Air Traffic Control Ruined Your Flight
webpage features a provocative, mocked-up video depicting European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Ryanair has publicly criticized von der Leyen, alleging insufficient action to improve ATC services across Europe.
Ryanair is urging passengers across Europe to utilize the website to demand their respective national transport ministers take urgent action
to resolve ATC issues and prevent further delays.