EasyJet, Europe's largest low-cost airline, has announced that it will be cancelling 2% of its summer flight schedule. The cancellations, which affect around 180,000 passengers, are due to air traffic control (ATC) delays across Europe. EasyJet says that the ATC delays are "unprecedented" and are causing "significant disruption" to its operations. The airline says that it has made the decision to cancel flights now in order to avoid last-minute cancellations, which are more costly and cause passengers more inconvenience.
The ATC delays are being caused by a number of factors, including strikes by air traffic controllers in France, Italy, and Spain. The strikes are part of a wider wave of industrial action by public sector workers in Europe, who are demanding higher wages in the face of rising inflation.
The ATC delays are also being exacerbated by the closure of airspace in Ukraine following the Russian invasion. This has forced airlines to reroute flights around Ukraine, which has added to congestion in other parts of Europe. EasyJet's decision to cancel flights is a blow to passengers who are planning to travel this summer. However, the airline says that it is working to rebook affected passengers on alternative flights.
The cancellations are also a sign of the challenges that the aviation industry is facing as it recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic caused a sharp decline in air travel, and airlines have been struggling to recruit and train enough staff to meet the rising demand for flights.
The ATC delays are another headache for the aviation industry, and it is unclear how long they will last. However, EasyJet's decision to cancel flights is a reminder that the summer travel season is not without its risks.