Ryanair has intensified its calls for the French government to implement urgent reforms within its air traffic control (ATC) system, following a recent Senate report that outlines significant risks of future flight delays and cancellations. The Irish airline, Europe's largest by passenger numbers, has labelled the current situation a 'management failure' and a potential bottleneck for European airspace.
The report, spearheaded by Senator Vincent Capo-Canellas, found that DSNA, France's national ATC provider, is inadequately prepared to handle projected increases in air traffic. Without immediate and substantial changes, the report suggests that a portion of flights will inevitably face structural cancellations. This alarming forecast is supported by Eurocontrol, a European air traffic management body, which estimates that France will struggle to meet flight demand by 2030, with average delays per flight potentially reaching four minutes. The financial implications are stark, with French ATC delays potentially costing airlines up to £1.45 billion per year by 2035.
Ryanair's Chief Operations Officer, Neal McMahon, did not mince words, stating that the report confirms long-held concerns among airlines and passengers that French ATC is 'Europe’s weakest link.' McMahon criticised DSNA for being 'woefully mismanaged, understaffed, underproductive and still using technology that belongs in a museum.' He highlighted the continued use of paper flight strips and outdated radio systems, contrasting this with a modernisation programme that is reportedly more than a decade behind schedule. Furthermore, the airline points out that French ATC productivity is below the EU average, with controller training taking approximately five years, significantly longer than the less than two years required in the UK and Ireland.
The airline's proposed solutions include uncapped recruitment of ATC controllers until 2030 to address staffing shortages and guaranteed protection for overflights during French ATC strikes. This latter point is particularly crucial for Ryanair, as it argues that passengers travelling between other EU countries suffer unnecessary delays when French airspace is affected by industrial action. The potential for a significant portion of the French controller workforce – 30% – to retire by 2035 adds further urgency to the situation.
As a major carrier connecting the UK with numerous European destinations, Ryanair's concerns resonate broadly across the aviation sector. The airline's forceful stance underscores the critical need for systemic improvements to ensure the smooth operation of European air travel, particularly as passenger numbers continue to rebound and grow. The 'time for excuses is over,' according to McMahon, signalling a firm demand for immediate governmental and European Commission intervention.