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Delays are boarding. Spain’s skies won’t be moving fast this summer. Credit: JESHOOTS-com pixabay
Are you flying to the Mediterranean this summer? You might want to pack extra patience. Ryanair just warned that flight delays across Spain, Italy, and Greece could surge by 20% compared to last year. The low-cost airline reports that over 11,500 of its flights have already been delayed in 2025, impacting more than 2 million passengers, and claims that the situation is deteriorating. Spain now ranks as the second most affected country in Europe, trailing only France. We will examine Ryanair’s breakdown of the warnings further, and why Spain, along with its neighbours, is experiencing the worst disruption. We will also explore the causes of this crisis in European skies and what travellers can do to avoid being caught in the chaos.
What Ryanair is warning
Ryanair has issued a warning: delays across Europe are expected to rise by 20% this summer unless governments tackle the air traffic control staffing shortages. So far in 2025, Ryanair has reported:
- 11,576 delayed flights
- Over 2 million passengers affected
- 61% increase in delays in April
The airline continues to state that this issue is becoming widespread and will be difficult for not just Ryanair, but every airline in Europe. CEO Michael O’Leary has said that passengers should take that action further by pressuring their governments to hire more control tower staff. The campaign’s goal is to reach Spain, France, Greece, Italy, and the UK.
Why Spain, Greece, and Italy are the most affected
Europe, particularly Southern Europe, is at the heart of this crisis. The reason for this is straightforward. The three countries are among the most popular destinations on the continent. As summer approaches, the peak flight convergence, accompanied by an increased number of passengers, will make it complex for air traffic control towers to keep pace.
Spain is now the second-most delayed country in Europe, behind France. Major hubs like Madrid, Barcelona, Athens, and Rome are under pressure, and any disruptions will ripple in Europe. Ryanair says that this problem is not new. In its latest campaign, it accuses the national governments of ignoring repeated warnings regarding controller air control shortages, and its current systems cannot handle the peak-season volume.
Inside Ryanair’s campaign
To drive this message home, Ryanair has launched a public campaign titled “Air Traffic Control Ruined My Flight“. The airline is urging passengers affected by this to take matters into their own hands by contacting government ministers directly.
On Ryanair’s website, they provide a link for travellers to send emails to officials in countries that are most affected by the delays. Of course, including Spain, France, the UK, Germany, and Portugal. The campaign is designed to protect passengers.
So, despite the growing pressure from airlines and passengers, European governments have been slow to respond to the upcoming crisis of delays. In Spain, there has been no formal announcement. In France, the most delayed country in Europe, criticism has arisen for military airspace restrictions that are hindering civilian air traffic flow.
At the current European level, there is no unified air traffic control system like the FAA in the United States. For now, the gap between demand and the limited airspace capacity remains unsolved.
What can travellers do?
With delays occurring at the peak of the coming months, passengers heading to Greece, Spain, or Italy can take a few steps to avoid the worst disruptions:
- Book early morning flights: Because they are less likely to be affected by delays that cascade later on in the day
- Avoid layovers: Allow at least 3 hours between your connecting flights to ensure a smooth transition in the case of a delay.
- Use flight tracking apps: Tools like Flightradar24 and FlightAware offer you real-time updates and delay alerts.
Finally, be aware of your rights, and you may be eligible for compensation for delays of 3-5 hours or more caused by staffing or operational issues. Travel may be unpredictable this summer, but being prepared can make all the difference.
Ryanair’s latest warning may sound dramatic, but the numbers do speak for themselves, with millions already affected by delays this year. Europe’s skies are heading for a turbulent summer. Whether governments respond on time will remain to be seen, but for now, if you are travelling to Greece, Spain, or Italy, keep being informed, prepare for delays, and fly safely this summer.
