British holidaymakers should brace for potential flight delays this summer, as European air traffic control officials have raised concerns over growing disruptions across the continent. According to Eurocontrol, the agency responsible for overseeing European airspace, delays could surpass the significant setbacks witnessed in 2023, which saw the worst flight disruptions since 2001.
In the first two months of 2024, EasyJet reported a 41 percent increase in flight delays, a worrying trend that airline executives believe signals a worsening situation. EasyJet’s leadership expressed concerns about the troubling rise in delays, describing it as an indication that the industry may be “moving in the wrong direction.”
Eurocontrol, which monitors air traffic across Europe, noted that staffing shortages and capacity issues have been identified as key factors contributing to the delays. The summer of 2024 is expected to face an even greater volume of traffic than the previous year, exacerbating the pressures on an already constrained air traffic network.
Steven Moore, Eurocontrol’s head of air traffic management, highlighted that the increase in traffic during peak summer months presents a “significant challenge” for a network that is already stretched thin. Moore pointed out that Europe’s interconnected airspace means that even small disruptions can quickly escalate into widespread delays.
David Morgan, EasyJet’s airline chief, emphasized the ongoing staffing shortages in air traffic control, noting that delays due to staffing issues have become a daily occurrence. He stated that these delays are costing airlines “eye-watering” amounts of money, with estimated losses in the hundreds of millions.
“The issue of staffing delays should be exceptional, yet every summer we find ourselves struggling with it,” Morgan commented. He explained that while airlines are expected to adhere to strict schedules to maintain landing slots, this is increasingly difficult due to air traffic control issues.
The crisis has its roots in the COVID-19 pandemic when many experienced air traffic controllers chose early retirement. Additionally, the aviation industry’s recovery has outpaced initial expectations, further straining air traffic control services.
Last summer, one in three flights arriving at European airports was delayed by more than 15 minutes. With an estimated 90 million passengers expected to travel to or from UK airports between June and September 2024, the pressure on the air traffic management system is expected to mount further.
In Spain, Jesus Garcia, the air navigation systems coordinator at Enaire, the country’s air traffic management body, confirmed that more air traffic controllers are urgently needed to address the shortfall. However, Garcia acknowledged the long training period for new recruits—typically two to three years—meaning that short-term recruitment is unlikely to resolve the issue in time for the summer peak.
Garcia described the situation as a “perfect storm” of challenges, citing not only staffing shortages but also the increasing impact of adverse weather conditions, military operations, and flight restrictions.
As the summer travel season approaches, both airlines and air traffic control bodies are bracing for continued disruptions, urging passengers to prepare for potential delays.
