Ryanair forced to cancel 1,000 flights in July

Ryanair has blamed pilot and cabin crew strikes, adverse weather and ATC staff shortages for the cancellation of 1,000 flights in July, affecting almost 200,000 customers.

This compared with just 23 cancellations in July 2017.

Releasing its July figures today, the airline said despite the cancellations its passenger numbers grew 4% to 13.1 million for the month.

Rolling annual traffic to July grew 7% to 133.5 million customers

Marketing chief Kenny Jacobs said load factor remained at 97% on the back of lower fares.

But he added: "Regrettably almost 200,000 Ryanair customers had their flights cancelled in July because of repeated ATC staff shortages in the UK, Germany and France, adverse weather, and unnecessary pilot and cabin crew strikes.

"Ryanair, together with other European airlines, calls for urgent action by the EU Commission and European governments to address the effect of these ATC staff shortages which are disrupting the travel plans of millions of Europe’s consumers this summer."
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