Published on
August 22, 2025
Ryanair is once again calling for a major shake-up of the Air Traffic Control (ATC) system after flight delays piled up at Athens International Airport. The low-cost carrier said bad air traffic management in Greece has affected thousands of customers. So far in 2025, more than four thousand of its flights have been delayed, impacting more than eight lakh passengers, pushing Greece into the number five spot for worst delays in Europe. With travel plans still being disrupted, Ryanair is insisting that the European Commission step in and fix the problems right away.
Air Traffic Control Failures in Athens
Ryanair’s frustrations with Athens’ air traffic control system are far from new. On August 20, 2025, an equipment failure at Athens airport delayed 12 Ryanair flights and affected over 2,000 passengers. The airline had previously experienced similar disruptions earlier in the year, marking another episode in what has become a long-standing issue at one of Europe’s busiest airports. The delays, attributed to staff shortages and mismanagement, have caused significant inconvenience to passengers and raised concerns about the overall effectiveness of the European ATC system.
Ryanair emphasized that between January and August 2025, over 900,000 passengers were impacted by delays, calling this a failure of the ATC system in Greece. The airline is calling on all affected passengers to use its online platform, Air Traffic Control Ruined Your Flight, to send complaints to the European Transport Secretary. This move underscores Ryanair’s commitment to ensuring that the issue remains front and center in the ongoing debate about air traffic control reform in Europe.
The Impact on Passengers
For passengers, the effects of air traffic control delays are devastating. Thousands of travelers face hours of waiting at airports, while many experience disrupted holiday plans, missed connections, and lost business opportunities. The summer of 2025 has been especially difficult, with major delays impacting destinations all across Europe.
According to Ryanair, the problem is not limited to Athens. Across Europe, air traffic control staff shortages have led to increased cancellations and delays. Ryanair and easyJet, both low-cost carriers with significant flight networks, have repeatedly voiced their concerns about the failure to address these operational issues, despite the Commission’s promises to prioritize air traffic efficiency.
Ryanair’s Persistent Campaign for Reform
Ryanair has long been a vocal critic of the current ATC system in Europe. The airline has pointed to the inefficiencies and mismanagement plaguing air traffic control services across the continent. In particular, Ryanair has singled out the lack of staff and resources available to handle the growing number of flights, as well as the outdated equipment that regularly fails.
In addition to the Athens delays, Ryanair’s criticisms were echoed following the July air traffic controller strikes in France, which led to the cancellation of nearly 3,000 flights and the delay of more than 7,400 flights across Europe. Ryanair stated that these strikes alone caused disruptions for approximately 1 million passengers, further underscoring the urgency of reforming the ATC system.
The EU’s Role and Responsibility
Despite Ryanair’s repeated calls for change, the European Commission has yet to make significant moves to overhaul the air traffic control system. Ryanair has not been shy in criticizing the EU’s inability to address the challenges, with the airline mocking European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, calling her Derlayed-Again for failing to bring about the necessary changes.
Ryanair’s criticisms point to a larger issue with the European Commission’s approach to transportation, one that prioritizes efficiency on paper but fails to deliver results on the ground. The airline’s campaign for reform is not just about securing a more reliable service for passengers but also for ensuring that the aviation industry in Europe can function smoothly and without repeated disruptions.
Call to Action for Passengers
Ryanair’s efforts to encourage affected passengers to take action are gaining momentum. The airline is urging all those impacted by delays to visit its dedicated website, Air Traffic Control Ruined Your Flight, and use the provided email template to submit complaints directly to the Transport Secretary. The airline hopes this collective pressure will lead to tangible improvements in the European air traffic control system, pushing for immediate staffing increases and upgrades to outdated infrastructure.
Bottom Line
Ryanair’s ongoing campaign for air traffic control reform has kept passengers stuck in longer delays and more cancellations. The airline’s criticism of Athens’ control tower problems shines a spotlight on a much bigger issue that runs throughout Europe’s airspace. The European Commission’s ongoing inaction is hurting travelers and dragging down the entire travel experience on the continent. Without swift fixes, the threat of more disorder will only grow, dimming Europe’s travel competitiveness and travelers’ satisfaction. Ryanair’s demand for immediate reform is clear; the real question is whether the EU will respond with real, lasting solutions or let the situation drag on.
Image credit: Ryanair
