usatoday24
The Irish airline Threat with 20% more delays for this summer If the Minister of Transportation, Óscar Puente, does not increase the template of air drivers.
Why is it important. Ryanair has made the shortage of controllers a public battle against the Spanish government. And not just Spanish: a few days ago He pointed to his five major European markets on his own website.
The company records 11,576 delays in 2025 that have affected more than two million passengers. And the figures are transformed into media pressure strategy.
The facts. Spain occupies The second European position in air control delaysjust behind France. The data is objectives: 2024 was a record year in ATC delays despite having 5% less flights that before pandemic in Europe.
Air traffic grew 9.7% in 2024 after A especially negative 2023 in terms of delays. Spain It manages 22% of European traffic and generates 11% of delays Continental. The process of forming a controller requires two years, which complicates the immediate response to the demands of the airline.
The context. This campaign comes in full controversy due to Ryanair fines for abusive practices. The company had already previously attacked Minister Pablo Bustinduy after receiving A sanction of 179 million euros.
Between the lines. Ryanair’s tight schedules (one of the factors that explain its important profitability) amplify any system delay. When an airline program scales with minimal times, five minutes of delay can generate a cascade of problems that the automatic Eurocontrol system does not forgive.
The question in the air is whether the lack of controllers is the main cause of delays or if there are operational factors of the airlines themselves aggravating the problem. The answer possibly includes both elements.
Outstanding image | CLAUDIO LUIZ CASTRO in Unspash
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