The Irish low-cost airline Ryanair has the German Transport Minister Schnieder called on to take measures to address the staff shortage at German air traffic control. According to the airline, nearly 2025 flights were delayed in 4 up to August 11.300. More than two million Ryanair passengers were affected by the disruptions.
Ryanair criticizes poor management and a lack of staff at the German Air Traffic Control (DFS) are the main cause of the delays. The airline has long been fighting at the EU level for a reform that would ensure full staffing of air traffic control services. This demand is shared by other airlines and industry associations that are also suffering from the delays.
The airline called on its passengers to get involved on a specially created website, where they can contact national transport ministers and EU Commission to adequately staff air traffic control services. The airline hopes this will eliminate a large portion of the delays caused by air traffic control. Ryanair had already taken a similar approach in France during repeated air traffic controller strikes.
Ryanair's criticism is not new. The German Air Force (DFS) has repeatedly acknowledged staffing problems in recent years, particularly in its control centers. In 2023, the DFS warned of bottlenecks that could also lead to restrictions in air traffic management. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) is also calling for better coordination of air traffic control services in the EU to improve punctuality.