Ryanair calls for overflight action by EC

Irish budget giant Ryanair has reacted to the latest French air traffic controllers' strike (which was cancelled too late to avoid flight cancellations) by demanding the European Commission (EC) reforms the way it manages Europe's skies.


The airline was forced to cancel more than 300 flights scheduled for Thursday and said 50,000 passengers were suffering because France was failing to protect overflights (where planes fly over a country without landing there) during industrial action.

Ryanair called on European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen to take action to 'protect overflights by law' during air traffic control strikes by allowing Europe’s other controllers to manage flights over France - and also to limit the power of unions to call strikes.

Ryanair chief executive Michael O’Leary said French air traffic controllers had a right to go on strike but, he added, their strike action should not force the cancellation of flights that did not involve a takeoff from or a landing in a French airport.

“The European Commission under Ursula von der Leyen has failed for five years to take any action to protect overflights and the single market for air travel. We’re again calling on her to take action." 

Ryanair calls for overflight action by EC

Irish budget giant Ryanair has reacted to the latest French air traffic controllers' strike (which was cancelled too late to avoid flight cancellations) by demanding the European Commission (EC) reforms the way it manages Europe's skies.


The airline was forced to cancel more than 300 flights scheduled for Thursday and said 50,000 passengers were suffering because France was failing to protect overflights (where planes fly over a country without landing there) during industrial action.

Ryanair called on European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen to take action to 'protect overflights by law' during air traffic control strikes by allowing Europe’s other controllers to manage flights over France - and also to limit the power of unions to call strikes.

Ryanair chief executive Michael O’Leary said French air traffic controllers had a right to go on strike but, he added, their strike action should not force the cancellation of flights that did not involve a takeoff from or a landing in a French airport.

“The European Commission under Ursula von der Leyen has failed for five years to take any action to protect overflights and the single market for air travel. We’re again calling on her to take action."