European flights face significant delays amid Ukraine conflict and air traffic controller shortage

Even before last week’s global IT crash, European flights were already facing significant delays. In the last week of June, punctuality declined sharply compared to the previous year, with reports indicating as many as 5,000 delayed flights per day, amounting to over 200 delays per hour. While adverse weather conditions played a role, capacity issues were also significant factors.

The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has further complicated air traffic, with considerable portions of European airspace closed. Kevin Hiney, a spokesperson for Airlines for Europe, noted that the war has contributed to this congestion.

Another issue is the shortage of air traffic controllers. High demand often exceeds the capacity of certain airspace sectors, necessitating a division that requires more controllers. Eivind Martinsen, head of the Swedish Civil Aviation Authority, remarked on the long-standing lack of air traffic controllers in Europe, exacerbated by the pandemic.

However, he emphasized that Sweden’s airspace is less congested compared to central European countries. For example, flights from Arlanda to destinations like Gran Canaria and Greece may encounter more delays when passing through air traffic over Germany and France.

Airlines for Europe has cautioned that travelers might experience increased delays over the summer. Nevertheless, Hiney reassured that airlines are diligently working to ensure timely flights.

Airlines for Europe represents 17 European airlines, including British Airways, KLM, and Lufthansa.