Ryanair has reported that air traffic control (ATC) delays in Spain have risen by 28% over the past year, impacting more than 32,600 of its flights and affecting nearly 6 million passengers. The airline asserts this makes Spain the "worst" ATC provider in Europe and urges the Spanish government to intervene urgently.
According to Eurocontrol, the airports of Barcelona, Madrid, and Sevilla have been identified as requiring "special measures" to handle the summer air traffic demand. Ryanair points to "insufficient capacity planning" and "chronic staff shortages" as primary causes.
The area control centers (ACC) in Barcelona, Madrid, and Sevilla are cited for causing delays on over 15,700 flights, ranking them among the "worst performing" in Europe. The company estimates that one in every ten Ryanair flights in Spain is delayed due to ATC issues.
The airline deems Enaire's "70 measures" program, announced in July and including the hiring of 79 new controllers, as "insufficient." Ryanair criticizes that the results show no improvement, with delays persisting and damaging Spain's reputation as a major European tourist market.
Ryanair is calling on the Spanish government to demand "urgent measures" and to stop accepting "excuses" from Enaire, aiming to reduce delays and enhance Spain's image as a tourist destination.
