French Strikes Disrupt Irish Air Travel
**Ursula von der Leyen** Faces Calls to Resign Amidst Chaos
Ongoing French air traffic control (ATC) strikes continue to wreak havoc on air travel to and from Ireland, leading to flight cancellations and renewed calls for reform of European ATC services.
Flight Disruptions Widespread
Numerous flights in and out of Ireland have been affected today as a result of the French ATC industrial action. Dublin Airport is experiencing cancellations, impacting travel plans for many passengers.
O’Leary Demands Action
Michael O’Leary, Ryanair’s CEO, is calling for the resignation of **Ursula von der Leyen**, the President of the European Commission, amidst the ongoing disruptions. He accuses her of failing to address the issues with Europe’s ATC system.
14 flights from Dublin Airport have already been cancelled, exacerbating travel headaches. Citing data from Eurocontrol, more than 83,000 flights in Europe were delayed in 2023 due to ATC issues (Eurocontrol 2024).
Ryanair Amplifies the Criticism
Ryanair has issued a statement urging **Ursula von der Leyen** to step down if she does not reform Europe’s “failed ATC service.”
They are also pushing for the implementation of the **Draghi** report recommendations, which call for greater ATC competitiveness.
According to Ryanair, reform is necessary to prevent further disruptions and improve efficiency across European airspace. The airline believes that a more competitive ATC environment would benefit both airlines and passengers.
“RYANAIR CALLS ON **URSULA VON DER LEYEN** TO QUIT IF SHE’S NOT WILLING TO REFORM EUROPE’S FAILED ATC SERVICE OR THE ATC COMPETITIVENESS THAT THE DRAGHI REPORT CALLS FOR”
—Ryanair Corporate
Potential Solutions
Ryanair is advocating for changes that would minimize the impact of national ATC strikes on overflights. They believe that allowing airlines to use ATC services from other countries during strikes could mitigate disruptions.
While the precise path forward remains uncertain, the disruptions caused by the French ATC strikes have put a spotlight on the need for improvements to the European air traffic control system.
