Ryanair cancels 170 flights over 'recreational' air traffic control strike
The no-frills carrier, Europe's largest airline by passenger numbers, announced its decision after a plea by French authorities for airlines to reduce flights at Paris airports by 40% on Friday.
The industrial action is set to begin later on Thursday and is expected to affect all flights using French airspace, leading to wider cancellations and delays.
Ryanair said its cancellations, covering both days, would hit services to and from France, and also flights over the country to destinations such as the UK, Greece, Spain and Ireland.
Group chief executive Michael O'Leary has campaigned for a European Union-led shake-up of air traffic control services in a bid to prevent such disruptive strikes, which have proved common in recent years.
He described the latest action as "recreational".
"Once again, European families are held to ransom by French air traffic controllers going on strike," he said.
"It is not acceptable that overflights over French airspace en route to their destination are being cancelled/delayed as a result of yet another French ATC strike.
"It makes no sense and is abundantly unfair on EU passengers and families going on holidays."
Ryanair is demanding the EU ensure that air traffic services are fully staffed for the first wave of daily departures, as well as to protect overflights during national strikes.
"These two splendid reforms would eliminate 90% of all ATC delays and cancellations, and protect EU passengers from these repeated and avoidable ATC disruptions due to yet another French ATC strike," Mr O'Leary added.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Auto Car
27 minutes ago
- Auto Car
BYD is bringing its Land Rover Defender rival to the UK
BYD is going after the Land Rover Defender in the UK with the new B5 – a premium range-extender 4x4 with competitive off-road stats and supercar levels of power. Launched in China last year as the Bao 5, the Defender 110 rival is one of three models from BYD's new SUV sub-brand Fangchengbao but it is likely to be badged Denza in the UK and positioned as a sibling to that premium brand's Z9 GT shooting brake - also headed to the UK. Denza was founded in 2010 as a joint venture between BYD and Mercedes-Benz but is wholly owned by the Chinese firm. Both cars will make their debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed next week, ahead of sales beginning in 2026. The move to import the B5 confirms Autocar's previous report that BYD would launch its Fangchengbao cars here in a bid to diversify its powertrain offering and tap into new market segments. The company's president, Stella Li, told Autocar at last year's Festival of Speed that she predicted the SUVs "will be very popular in the UK". 'In the UK, the roads are narrow but we love these big SUV off-road cars, so Fangchengbao will be here,' she said, referencing the popularity of large premium SUVs in this market, a sector in which BYD has until now been absent. The company has not confirmed any specification details for the B5, but it is expected to be largely unchanged from the car in China, which uses a 'DMO Super-Hybrid Off-Road' ladder-frame platform and takes its power from a range-extender system that pairs a 1.5-litre turbo engine with an electric motor on each axle. The system pumps out up to 677bhp and 561lb ft - more than any Defender, including the new V8 Octa. Meanwhile, a sizeable 31.8kWh battery (which serves as a structural element) supplies enough power for a claimed EV range of up to 78 miles on China's CLTC cycle - though that's likely to be nearer 50 miles in practice. The B5 forms part of BYD's push to dramatically increase its hybrid car offering in the face of wavering EV uptake in Europe. The core BYD line-up is set to be boosted next year with the arrival of the Seal 06, a plug-in hybrid saloon/estate in the mould of the BMW 3 Series. The Denza Z9 GT will also be available as a PHEV with a "colossal" combined range, or with pure-electric power. Also starring on BYD's stand at Goodwood will be Denza's new D9 MPV, a "business-class" people carrier in the mould of the Lexus LM.
The Sun
32 minutes ago
- The Sun
Cheapest petrol stations across the UK revealed as fuel prices rise after hitting four-year low
THE cheapest petrol stations across the UK have been revealed as fuel prices rise after hitting a four year low. Unleaded petrol now costs 134.17p a litre on average, up 2p since the first of June, according to new figures by the RAC. 1 This means the cost to fill a 55-litre family car stands at £73.79, marking a £1.07 rise. Those with a diesel car are now paying 3p a litre more, with prices rising from 138.39p at the start of June to 141.21p at the end. This is up from 132.3p and 138.4p respectively at the end of May, when petrol was at the lowest since July 2021 and diesel the lowest since that October. Tensions between Israel and Iran disrupted crude oil prices at the end of last month, with the cost of a barrel jumping from around $64($46) in late May to a high of almost $79 (£57) on June 19. There were fears that Iran would block The Strait of Hormuz, which sees around a fifth of the world's global oil supply pass through. The rumoured retaliation led oil prices to surge across financial markets. When the price of crude oil rises, the amount punters pay for petrol also tends to increase. Even this Wednesday, Brent crude, the international benchmark for oil prices, rose 3% after Iran suspended cooperation with the UN nuclear watchdog and there were also fears higher US tariffs may be reinstated But this morning, Brent crude fell 0.65%, to $68.66 (£50) as markets relaxed. Warning over petrol station mistake which can cost £1,000s It is not the first time that punters have been warned of price hikes at the pump due to a global conflict. When Russia - one of the world's biggest producers of oil - invaded Ukraine fuel prices also shot up. Simon Williams, RAC fuel spokesperson said retailers wasted "no time" putting prices up following "increased tensions" in the Middle East. "Unleaded and diesel are now both at their highest levels since late April, although we see no reason for further increases as wholesale prices have come back down again." He added: "Thankfully, we're a long way off the record pump prices of exactly three years ago when the Russia/Ukraine conflict saw the average price of unleaded hit an unprecedented 191.53p a litre and diesel climb to 199.21p, with some retailers charging well in excess of £2 a litre." But there are still plenty of places to fill up your tank for less. Costco Liverpool Automat is currently the cheapest place to fill your tank at 119.9p. The bargain retailers branch in Watford comes in at second charging, 122.9p. If you want to take advantage of the offer you will need to be a Costco Member. You have to be a business that's VAT registered to join, or be in a certain profession like accounting or a front-line worker such as NHS staff and police officers. A full list of accepted jobs and qualifications can be found by visiting But it is not only Costco which is selling fuel below the market average. Essar at Grindley Brook Garage in Shropshire is also charging 122.9p a litre and so is Apple Green city services in Liverpool. HOW TO SAVE ON FUEL Making sure you are comparing prices and finding the lowest is essential for cutting spending on petrol. You can search for the cheapest local pumps using which should provide up-to-date figures. All you need to do is pop in your postcode to see what prices are like near you. Loyalty schemes are another way of making filling up cheaper. Nectar members can shave up to 5p a litre off the cost of petrol. While Clubcard members at Tesco stations earn one point for every two litres of fuel purchased. money stretch further. Keeping an eye out for advice on cheap petrol on social media is also wise, especially on local community groups.
Glasgow Times
40 minutes ago
- Glasgow Times
Glasgow tourists warned as Ryanair cancels 170 flights
The disruption comes as a result of industrial action by French air traffic controllers, which has affected more than 30,000 Ryanair passengers. The cancellations impact travel both to and from France, as well as overflights crossing French airspace en route to destinations such as the UK, Spain, Ireland, and Greece. READ MORE: Glasgow tourists stranded as two major airports face 'near-total shutdown' Ryanair chief executive Michael O'Leary has called on European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to "take urgent action" to reform the European Union's air traffic control (ATC) system in light of the recurring disruption. Mr O'Leary said: 'Once again, European families are held to ransom by French air traffic controllers going on strike. 'It is not acceptable that overflights over French airspace en route to their destination are being cancelled/delayed as a result of yet another French ATC strike. 'It makes no sense and is abundantly unfair on EU passengers and families going on holidays.' READ MORE: Glasgow tourists warned after volcanic eruption sparks tsunami fears at popular spot Ryanair has consistently campaigned for an overhaul of Europe's ATC services. The airline is urging the EU to guarantee full staffing for the first wave of daily flight departures and to protect overflights from disruption during national ATC strikes. Mr O'Leary added: 'These two splendid reforms would eliminate 90% of all ATC delays and cancellations, and protect EU passengers from these repeated and avoidable ATC disruptions due to yet another French ATC strike." READ MORE: Glasgow tourists stranded as wildfire forces airport closure in holiday hotspot The airline also confirmed that recent conflict in the Middle East has led to further disruption, with more than 800 flights cancelled last month. Ryanair, along with other carriers, was forced to cancel and reroute flights due to ongoing tensions between Israel and Iran, and continued attacks in Gaza. Last week, flight operations were also suspended at Dubai International Airport in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), with passengers warned of further delays and cancellations
