MILLIONS of passengers face travel chaos and “excessive queues” at major UK airports this summer.
Ryanair has warned “excessive delays” and long queues threatening to ruin your summer travel plans.
With rivals EasyJet, Jet2, TUI, and others facing similar issues, Ryanair has cautioned passengers about potential disruptions at London Stansted Airport this week and beyond.
Ryanair said: “Due to extended security queues at London Stansted Airport, we advise all passengers departing London Stansted to please arrive at the airport with extra time to allow for delays in security.
“Passengers who do not have any bags to check in should head straight to security when they arrive at the airport.
“We regret any inconvenience caused to passengers by these extended security queues, which are completely outside of Ryanair’s control.”
The budget airline’s warning comes amid ongoing chaos due to European Air Traffic Control (ATC) staff shortages.
On Monday 15 July, Ryanair, Europe’s No.1 airline, apologised to its passengers for the excessive flight delays caused by these shortages, which are affecting all European airlines.
The low cost airline said: “ATC services continue to underperform (despite flight volumes being five per cent behind 2019 levels) with repeated ‘staff shortages’.
“On Monday 15 July, 19 per cent of Ryanair’s first wave departures (106 of 582 aircraft) were delayed due to ATC ‘staff shortages’.
“These repeated flight delays due to ATC mismanagement are unacceptable.
“We apologise to our passengers for these repeated ATC flight delays which are deeply regrettable but beyond Ryanair’s control.”
Ryanair Group carried a whopping 183.7 million passengers in 2024, up nine percent from 168.6 million the year before, and an incredible 23.6 percent above the 148.6 million passengers carried in 2020-21.
Holidaymakers face a summer of travel chaos at UK airports due to a perfect storm of staff shortages, bad weather, and delays in the delivery of new planes.
After two days of chaos at Heathrow and Gatwick, delays and cancellations continue to impact Ryanair’s flights across Europe.
On its website, the airline apologised to customers for excessive flight delays ’caused by European Air Traffic Control (ATC) staff shortages.’
The International Federation of Air Traffic Controllers Associations (IFATCA) says shortages across the globe have hit Europe particularly hard as the industry bounced back from the pandemic.
Patricia Gilbert from IFATCA told the Airport Industry Review: “I would say a lot of this has to do with the rapid return to air travel we saw after the pandemic.
“When Covid shut travel down, many countries reduced their ATCO workforce, offering early retirement and in some cases letting go of trainees.
“Many also stopped hiring and training, which added to the staffing problems they’re now seeing.”
What are my rights if my flight is cancelled or delayed?
Under UK law, airlines have to provide compensation if your flight arrives at its destination more than three hours late.
If you’re flying to or from the UK, your airline must let you choose a refund or an alternative flight.
You will be able to get your money back for the part of your ticket that you haven’t used yet.
So if you booked a return flight and the outbound leg is cancelled, you can get the full cost of the return ticket refunded.
But if travelling is essential, then your airline has to find you an alternative flight. This could even be with another airline.
When am I not entitled to compensation?
The airline doesn’t have to give you a refund if the flight was cancelled due to reasons beyond their control, such as extreme weather.
Disruptions caused by things like extreme weather, airport or air traffic control employee strikes or other ‘extraordinary circumstances’ are not eligible for compensation.
Some airlines may stretch the definition of the “extraordinary circumstances” but you can challenge them through the aviation regulator the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).
Will my insurance cover me if my flight is cancelled?
If you can’t claim compensation directly through the airline, your travel insurance may refund you.
Policies vary so you should check the small print, but a delay of eight to 12 hours will normally mean you qualify for some money from your insurer.
Remember to get written confirmation of your delay from the airport as your insurer will need proof.
If your flight is cancelled entirely, you’re unlikely to be covered by your insurance.
The situation could worsen as school summer holidays begin, with a system creaking at the seams and a host of strikes across Europe.
Staff at airports across Italy walked out on Friday, with more disruption due on July 21 at Milan Linate and Bergamo Orio.
Paris airports could face strikes ahead of the Olympic Games, with unions calling for a walkout on July 17, just ten days before the sporting spectacular begins.
Further strikes could mean lengthy delays at Glasgow and Aberdeen airports after workers voted overwhelmingly in favour of industrial action.
Unite has said unless there is an improved offer, strike action could start as early as July 15.
While bad weather, strikes, and staff shortages are not the fault of any airline, the lack of new planes means there is little wiggle room when delays and cancellations occur.
Airbus confirmed it fell 30 short of its target to deliver 800 commercial aircraft this year, blaming global supply chain issues.
Boeing has also failed to deliver enough planes after the US aviation regulator blocked it from expanding the production of the 737 Max -its most popular plane.
Ryanair was due to receive 57 737 Max-8 planes by June to deploy over the summer but has been forced to revise its delivery expectations due to issues at Boeing.
Outspoken boss Michael O’Leary told the Financial Times back in January: “Our growth has been constrained because at this point in time we don’t really know how many aircraft we are going to get.”
So, if you’re flying out of the UK this summer, pack your patience along with your passport – it looks like it’s going to be a bumpy ride.
Meanwhile, it’s not just delays that could ruin your holiday, a couple were banned from their Ryanair flight and escorted from the airport after making a mistake with their passport.
Rory Allen and his girlfriend Nina Wilkins were due to fly to Costa Brava in Spain from East Midlands Airport.
But the pair ran into problems when they made their way to the boarding gate and were told they couldn’t board.
Elsewhere, another British tourist has fallen victim to confusing passport rules – after being banned from his flight.
Instagrammer Beth Trubutt-Rogers, known as Budgeting Mum Official, was flying with her husband to Spain with Ryanair.
However, after arriving at the airport, they were told he couldn’t fly because of a common issue with his passport.
