Ryanair urges EU action to protect overflights during French ATC strikes

International

Up to 700 Ryanair flights and 125,000 passengers face cancellations on Sept. 17–18 if the EU Commission fails to safeguard overflights

Ryanair has called on European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to act urgently to protect EU overflights during the planned two-day strike by French air traffic controllers on 17 and 18 September 2025. According to France’s air navigation authority, Ryanair may be forced to cancel as many as 700 overflights, disrupting travel for more than 125,000 passengers.

The airline argues that such cancellations could be avoided if the Commission had implemented reforms long demanded by Airlines for Europe (A4E), including giving Eurocontrol the mandate to manage overflights during national ATC strikes. Ryanair maintains that overflights fall under the EU single market’s jurisdiction and should therefore be protected by the Commission.

Background and industry demands

The Draghi Report, published in September 2024, highlighted billions of euros in costs from ATC inefficiencies and delays. European airlines have since called for two specific reforms:

· Mandatory full staffing of national ATC services during the morning departure wave.

· EU-level protection of overflights during national strikes.

Neither reform has been implemented. Ryanair insists that protecting overflights would not limit the right of French controllers to strike but would prevent unnecessary disruption for passengers across Europe.

Strong words from leadership

“As usual, Ursula von der Leyen has done nothing over the past 12 months to implement the Draghi Report or reform Europe’s failing air traffic control system,” said Michael O’Leary, CEO of Ryanair. “Europe’s airlines are united in calling for two simple reforms: full ATC staffing for morning departures and EU protection of overflights during national strikes. If President von der Leyen continues to do nothing, millions of European passengers will once again pay the price for the actions of a small group of French controllers.”

O’Leary added: “The French can strike if they want. But overflights are a single market responsibility and must be protected. If the Commission cannot deliver on this, then President von der Leyen should step aside for someone who can ensure efficiency, competitiveness, and passenger protection in European aviation.”

Wider criticism

Ryanair also criticized the Commission for what it describes as Europe’s “inefficient ATC services, highest environmental costs, and most burdensome regulation,” while non-European carriers remain exempt from comparable obligations. The airline repeated its call for von der Leyen to either act immediately by authorizing Eurocontrol to protect overflights—or resign.